Buy a military exoskeleton. Talos exoskeleton - US military development. Photos and video of the suit

In 2007, the Ministry of Emergency Situations contacted the Research Institute of Mechanics of Moscow State University. The rescue agency needed a Russian unit to facilitate rescue operations - an exoskeleton. A special design for the human body, which allows you to increase the body's capabilities several times. Thanks to the development of modern technologies, this idea of ​​science fiction writers about a superman has now found its real embodiment. This area has been actively developing in the West over recent years, and Russian engineers decided not to remain aloof from these processes.

An exoskeleton today is an external frame system designed to enhance the muscular strength of a person or the special lifting force of an android robot. This designation was originally taken from biology, in which it meant the exoskeleton of invertebrates. In the future, this technology should eliminate the physical limitations of people, as well as various mechanisms.

Currently, the main area of ​​use of exoskeletons is development in the interests of the military. The main direction of work on exoskeletons is the development of a working prototype that could enhance the physical abilities of soldiers. In the future, similar functions can be used, for example, for deep diving or space flights, as well as in other quite complex situations. The second, no less common, example of the use of exoskeletons is to help in the rehabilitation of patients with damage to the musculoskeletal system. An example of such a device is the Honda Walking Assist Device exoskeleton. It is worth noting that Russian developers are also interested in this direction of development.

In addition to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, domestic developers were also supported by the Ministry of Education and Science (allocation of funding in the amount of 120 million rubles). In 2013, the first sample, weighing 50 kg and capable of withstanding a maximum load of up to 200 kg, was presented as part of the 6th International Integrated Safety Salon. At the same time, the development received a gold medal from the hands of Sergei Shoigu himself and the task of “refining” the device. Still, the first exoskeleton created in Russia turned out to be too bulky, as well as with an unacceptable delay in reactions.

Similar to the Iron Man suit from the popular science-fiction film, the Russian development “ExoAtlet” is able to endow a person with a set of superpowers. And although it is impossible to fly in such a suit, the developers believe that with its help “you can move mountains.” According to Pavel Komarov, a researcher at the Institute of Mechanics of Moscow State University, the weight, which is mounted on the power structure at the top, goes through the joint in the hip and pelvis through the leg into the ground. In a static position, a person is completely freed from the load; he does not feel the weight being held. The maximum load that this exoskeleton can currently withstand is 200 kg. At the same time, holding such weight, a person is unlikely to be able to move. However, with the help of this exoskeleton a person can carry a weight of 70 or even 100 kg even over very long distances.

LifeNews correspondents who visited the laboratory tried on ExoAtlet for themselves. With a total load of 50 kg, its weight is absolutely not felt by a person. At the same time, in order to fully use this development, a person needs to learn to cope with the force of inertia, and this is achieved through constant training. This suit was mainly created for Russian rescuers; the Ministry of Emergency Situations was one of the initiators of its creation. At the same time, Russian scientists were faced with the rather difficult task of creating a durable and at the same time fairly light suit.

It is necessary that the Ministry of Emergency Situations employees can easily climb stairs in the area of ​​man-made accidents or disasters, while wasting less oxygen, explains one of the aspects of using ExoAtleta Elena Pismennaya, who holds the position of senior researcher at the Institute of Mechanics of Moscow State University. The creators of the Russian exoskeleton believe that the possibilities for using this mechanism are almost unlimited.

Currently, the development team continues to work on improving their project, finalizing the model in collaboration with future users and relevant departments. However, all these are closed developments, while the employees of the research institute have a desire to release something for the open market. Therefore, in the near future a new exoskeleton may appear in a medical version.

Almost simultaneously, a number of team members came up with an idea that went beyond R&D - to commercialize their product. Of all the possible options for adapting the exoskeleton for its possible introduction to a wide market, they found the medical area - patient rehabilitation - to be the most breakthrough and profitable. Ekaterina Bereziy, who headed the project that spun off from the main team back in 2011, notes that the developers did not want to stop at the drawing level and abandon the whole thing. A commercial structure was specially created, called “ExoAtlet”, with the participation of Moscow State University specialists and under a government contract from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The Ministry of Industry and Trade allocated 40 million rubles for the development of the exoskeleton, while the team that left to do business does not lose touch with their colleagues who work on defense orders.

In the field of medicine, especially in the field of rehabilitation of patients, exoskeletons are able to provide a large number of opportunities to those people who currently move using a wheelchair. At the same time, they can solve several different functions at once: a product - a substitute for a wheelchair, a simulator for people with musculoskeletal diseases who need rehabilitation, as well as a product for emotional and social rehabilitation - since a person with limited physical capabilities gets a chance to start move independently. He gets rid of the need to constantly look up to the people around him.

Currently, the goals of the Russian project “ExoAtlet” are to develop the first exoskeleton in our country. The basis of this project is the innovative developments made by employees of the Research Institute of Mechanics of Moscow State University and aimed at expanding the physical capabilities of people. Currently, the project is developing in two directions: emergency rescue modification and medical exoskeleton.

The emergency rescue modification of the exoskeleton was designed to solve problems that involve carrying fairly heavy loads over long distances; it can also be used during anti-terrorist operations and mine clearance. To eliminate the consequences of man-made disasters and natural disasters, to clear the resulting rubble, to perform fire-fighting operations in conditions of limited air reserves in the breathing apparatus of firefighters. The medical version, designated ExoAtlet Med, is being developed to help people with disabilities. It can be used for both medical and social rehabilitation of patients suffering from musculoskeletal disorders. This exoskeleton is ideal for the needs of therapy and rehabilitation of the specialized population of rehabilitation centers and hospitals.

True, the Russian company ExoAtlet is several years late in this direction, preparing to present its medical development only in 2017. However, the most successful medical versions of exoskeletons have already reached the end consumer: from the leader in medical skeleton construction, the American company Ekso Bionics and the Israeli Re Walk. At the same time, the American prototype is similar to the Russian development, and the company itself chose a similar development path, having at one time separated from military developments. Not long ago, Ekso Bionics managed to attract about $20 million in investments into its project.

Currently, the Russian company ExoAtlet employs 20 people - designers, engineers, mathematicians, programmers, specialists in the field of control theory and neural interfaces, marketers and managers. The company is well aware that this project can be included in the list of rehabilitation means only with support from the state. The developers of ExoAtlet Med expect that their product will be included in the official register of technical means of rehabilitation (today it includes wheelchairs and crutches, which disabled people under special programs are able to receive for free or at a significant discount).

At the same time, the company also hopes to receive government orders. In total, the state spent 160 million rubles on the development of a working model of the Russian exoskeleton in 2011-2014. According to representatives of the ExoAtlet company, the new prototype will be ready before the end of 2014. And already in 2015, doctors, partners of the project, will be able to conduct preclinical tests of the new product, and the developers will begin to refine it based on receiving recommendations from doctors. For the next stage of work on the project, which is expected to last at least a year, the developers need about 137 million more rubles. It was decided to turn to Russian officials for the required amount.

Until the product is ready to launch into mass production, there is no point in pinning your hopes on private venture funds - the risks are too great. Therefore, it is planned to attract private investors to the project only at the second stage of work. The Russian exoskeleton should go into serial production in 2016-2017. When a working prototype is ready, it will become completely clear what the company’s final product is, how it can be implemented and what are the prospects for the new product to be included in the register of technical means for the rehabilitation of the disabled. It is at this moment that the product will finally become commercial and private investors can be sought for it. The developers also expect to find a partner who will be ready to build a plant for them for the opening market, Ekaterina Bereziy outlines the next steps.

In fact, at the moment there is simply no market for such products in Russia; it has yet to be created. The question also remains open whether Russian designers will be able to bring their brainchild to fruition. The ExoAtleta team will have to solve many issues that are in related areas - synchronize the reading of the impulse and reaction of the machine, solve the issue of increasing the battery charge, continue to reduce the volume and weight of their product, and solve the problem of how to free the user’s hands. At the same time, this direction is gaining strength in the world. According to experts, the European exoskeleton market alone is already valued at 1.5 billion euros. The technologies that have emerged today may finally lead to a real breakthrough in the construction of exoskeletons, and Russia may have a chance to keep up with its direct competitors in this race.

Information sources:
http://expert.ru/expert/2014/23/primerka-vneshnego-skeleta
http://www.exoatlet.ru
http://lifenews.ru/news/126090
http://robonovosti.ru/texnologii/1191-ekzoskelet.htm

In the last decade, militaries of different countries have become literally obsessed with high technology. Today, US defense research agencies have many ambitious and promising projects. Our compatriots are also trying to keep up with them. At the Army 2018 forum, a passive army exoskeleton was presented. Most recently, his tests were caught on video.

Simplicity and reliability are the two traditionally attractive and most important postulates that domestic designers include in all types of weapons and equipment for army soldiers. Both are equally applicable to the main sensation of the last Army 2018 forum, where a passive exoskeleton for Russian soldiers was shown. The development appeared within the framework of the Fighter-21 project.

It is worth immediately noting that the passive exoskeleton does not have servomotors and sensors in its design, which makes it different from its Western counterparts. A version of the active exoskeleton is also being developed in Russia. However, the implementation of this technology is clearly not going to happen anytime soon. At the same time, a domestically developed passive suit for the military has already actually been introduced. The piece of equipment was even field tested in Syria.

By the way, sappers managed to use the Russian exoskeleton in Syria. The suit greatly helped the specialists, as they were forced to carry a huge amount of equipment. The development of domestic scientists allows, in turn, to evenly distribute the wearable load throughout the body.

What are the possibilities of domestic development? Thanks to such an exoskeleton, the payload on a fighter can be safely increased from 30+ to 50+ kilograms. In this case, the soldier will not feel significant discomfort. It is important that the exoskeleton allows you to instantly get rid of additional load in an extreme situation. To do this, the owner of the suit just needs to pull the special strap. You can put such a piece of equipment on your body in 20-30 seconds.

Need more fantastic technology? Then read about and are used by humans.

Have you watched films a la Iron Man or Edge of Tomorrow? Would you like such a suit or at least a Russian-made exoskeleton? An exoskeleton is a mechanical device that represents the external frame of the human body.
The device replicates human biomechanics and is capable of increasing lifting force, as well as replenishing lost functions such as walking. Yes, there are already exoskeletons that can restore people’s ability to walk.
In the near future, exoskeletons will be classified into areas in which they will be used:

Military sphere

The most advanced military models are shown to us by the US armed forces. Exoskeletons are capable of replacing or enhancing the physical abilities of fighters and will be a strong advantage in the fight against the enemy.

Medical field

Exoskeletons created for people with musculoskeletal problems. These modifications can help people who have lost the ability to walk due to a spinal cord injury or have suffered a stroke.

Video about the ExoAtlet prototype:

Work area

The sample data will help workers perform operations that require carrying heavy objects and also compensate for work during the working day.
Until now, the main problem with the exoskeleton was the disproportionate strength that the sample possessed. Any action of a person in a suit entailed intense movement of the skeleton, which did not allow minor “work” to be done.
Another problem was the heavy weight of the suit.
Russian developers also presented a prototype to the world in 2016. The project is called ExoAtlet. A group of scientists and engineers developed this prototype for the medical field. With its help, a team of scientists will help people undergo rehabilitation and adaptation due to dysfunction of the lower extremities. The latest Version is called “ExoAtlet Albert”.

American Exoskeleton “Talos”

The US Army is adopting the TALOS armored suit, (the abbreviation stands for Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit), which will improve safety and increase the combat potential of a fighter. The Americans have relied on qualitative superiority, improving human potential through robots. SOCOM is working on the prototype, along with half a hundred corporations, 16 government agencies, 13 universities and a dozen laboratories.
The exoskeleton is made of a liquid ceramic composition, which, when shot at the suit, regenerates the “wound” by covering it with a new shell. Professor Gareth McKinley said that the external frame will provide super strength (currently the weight of the American soldier's equipment is 34 kg), increase the mobility and speed of the individual. A unique built-in module, called Q-Warrioir, will help fighters see the battle image in any combat conditions without removing their helmet.

Photos and video of the suit

New details have emerged about the design of the Russian exoskeleton, first presented at the Army-2018 military-technical forum. It is planned that this “device” will become part of the equipment of the “soldier of the future”, which will allow military personnel to easily carry loads of up to 50 kg. In addition, the exoskeleton will help fighters move faster and perform combat missions more effectively.

The next generation exoskeleton has already been tested, in which a soldier was able to hit targets while holding a machine gun with one hand. A representative of TsNIITochmash, an enterprise engaged in the development of this element of equipment, told TASS news agency reporters about this.

Earlier, the head of the military-scientific committee of the Ground Forces, Alexander Romanyuta, told reporters that the active exoskeleton will become an element of equipment of the third generation “Ratnik-3”, the appearance of which is expected by the middle of the next decade.

What the Russian exoskeleton will be capable of

Currently, engineers from many countries around the world are working on the creation of exoskeletons of various designs. Such devices can significantly increase the physical capabilities of a serviceman, his strength, endurance and ability to perform combat missions. The main problem facing developers today is the insufficient capacity of batteries, but every year they become more and more advanced.

In this case, we are talking about the so-called active exoskeleton, which includes electric motors. Its “passive” modification, presented at the Army-2018 forum, is a lever-hinge device that repeats the arrangement of the joints of the human body. In this case, the fighter’s physical strength does not increase, but the load is removed from the musculoskeletal system. The weight is evenly distributed from the shoulder beam to the lumbar suspension and further down to the special support platforms of the legs.

This exoskeleton is made of lightweight carbon fiber, so it does not restrict the fighter’s movement at all. The manufacturer reports that a soldier needs only one minute to put on the device, and can take it off even faster - in thirty seconds. True, in order to master the exoskeleton at the proper level, some training is required. The developers believe that acquiring the necessary skills will take two to three weeks.

At the same time, work continues to create the next generation active device. Oleg Faustov, chief designer of the exoskeleton life support system at TsNIITochmash, told reporters the following: “We have already tested a prototype of the active exoskeleton. It really increases the physical capabilities of a soldier. For example, the tester was able to fire a machine gun using only one hand and still hit targets accurately.” According to him, the exoskeleton they are currently developing will not be universal: that is, it will not be possible to make sudden movements or parachute in it.