South Korean developers showed off their exoskeletons. "Field tests" of the Russian exoskeleton "exoathlete" have begun Exoskeletons

Exoskeleton prototype for the Russian military October 6th, 2017

No, well, it’s clear that they can deceive us with tablets and smartphones - they won’t do what they show to the president. They can even cheat with .

But the military is usually not deceived and they do what they were promised. But will they do this?

At the Army 2017 forum, a prototype of a new army exoskeleton called “Defender of the Future” was presented. It is reported that such an exoskeleton in the future will become equipment for soldiers, allowing them to improve the physical parameters of a soldier, his endurance and the quality of shooting. With the help of such an exoskeleton, military personnel will be reliably protected from bullets and shrapnel, in addition, they will be able to carry up to 150 kg of cargo

"Ratnik-3" includes a titanium exoskeleton that will increase physical strength and endurance, scale body armor, a camouflage uniform that can adapt to weather conditions, an armored helmet with a flashlight, a display and a night vision device, as well as shoes with explosive sensors.

The division of this equipment into generations is quite arbitrary. Rather than reflecting specific time-bound milestones, it reflects a general process of refinement and improvement. Considering that the service life of the "Warrior" is five years, at this interval we should expect an update, i.e. closer to 2020.

What will happen in "Ratnik-2" in the near future?

Firstly, a “friend or foe” recognition system for both combat vehicles and soldiers. This will allow you to avoid friendly fire on your own, and in general, better understand what is happening on the battlefield.

Secondly, perhaps by this time the production of the cardiovisors announced at the Army 2016 forum will be launched. This device allows you to take ECG readings, heart rate, respiratory movements, and temperature in real time. Based on this data, the commander can have an idea of ​​the physical and emotional state of his soldiers.

Thirdly, the time of aramid fabrics is coming to an end and they are being replaced by more practical and durable high molecular weight polyethylene.

MOSCOW, June 21 - RIA Novosti. The M.F. Vladimirsky Clinical Center (MONIKI) has begun testing the Exoathlete exoskeleton, created by Russian specialists. 6 patients after a stroke and diagnosed with multiple sclerosis were selected for training.

Over the course of 2 weeks, these patients will undergo 10 training sessions in the Exoskeleton. For training, 2 modernized exoskeletons were delivered to MONIKI, which are constantly being improved by the developers. The first training takes place on parallel bars, and then gradually patients move on to walking forward.

“The task of rehabilitation,” says Olga Domkina, manager of the Exoatlet company, “is to master the pattern of movement so that the hip rises higher and moves along the correct trajectory. And after three classes in the exoskeleton, we are already seeing how some patients walk the corridor - back and forth without any - other devices. For the first ten training sessions, the assistant controls the walking through a tablet - there is a specially developed program. And when the patient is ready to control his own walking - that is, for example, in case of loss of balance, press a button and stop - we let him. “smart crutch” with a built-in control panel.”

Such tests are being held at MONIKI for the second time. Roman Chekhunov, himself a design engineer by profession, who worked all his life at the S.A. Lavochkin NPO, is participating in the tests. He rates the benefits of training at Exoatlet quite highly: “After the first course of training at Exoatlet, I began to walk. Before that, I was lying down. This is a significant step forward. Then for a whole month I walked without crutches at all, but, unfortunately, after I had to go back to them for a month. Now, after three days of classes, I’m walking around in the ward without any devices.”

According to statistics, 600,000 strokes occur per year in Russia. 10% of all patients who suffered a stroke are immediately ready to start training at Exoatlet. That is, 60 thousand people a year can get the opportunity to walk, which means for such patients the path to freedom and a normal life. While they are trying to rehabilitate post-stroke patients with the help of specialists. But the number of cases is growing every year, and there is already a catastrophic shortage of specialists. The greatest hope for doctors is robotic developments. And yet, this is only one stage of complex rehabilitation.

Sergey Kotov, head of the neurological department, head of the department of neurology of the faculty of advanced training of doctors of the State Budgetary Institution of Healthcare of the Moscow Region MONIKI, doctor of medical sciences, professor, explains:

"We have Betz cells in our heads. They transmit information from the brain to the spinal cord. A stroke has occurred. Now the paths from the Betz cells to the spinal cord are damaged. And, as a result, there is a signal to perform the correct movement, but it does not reach the muscles “As a result, the muscles simply tense, and a strong tone arises, which is also very harmful to the correct movements. We first remove this tone with the help of botulinum toxin injections, and only then, with the help of the exoskeleton, we force it to work correctly.”

The exoskeleton restores the entire complex: walking, maintaining posture, maintaining balance. In addition, there is a powerful effect on the emotional sphere: a person can walk again! As a result, as doctors note, a person recovers from post-stroke depression, and at the same time, speech, the ability to navigate, and the execution of commands improve. That is, not only the ability to walk is trained, but also to think.
At the moment, pilot studies of training at Exoathlete are underway, so fairly “light” patients have been selected. Then, when experience has been accumulated and the safety of the device has been proven, it will be possible to move on to “severe” patients.

Allows you to increase the strength of the person who uses it, as well as restore lost abilities. Currently, exoskeletons are produced in Russia, the USA, Switzerland, Israel and Japan. The exoskeleton was first developed in the USA in the 1960s and was called Hardmann, but due to its impressive weight of 680 kilograms, this project was considered a failure.

TALOS

The goal of the TALOS project is to create armor for soldiers that could improve their safety. Several dozen US public and private companies, as well as major research institutes, are working on this exoskeleton. The basis of TALOS is an armored exoskeleton that protects the fighter from shrapnel and bullets. It allows a soldier to move freely across the battlefield with equipment weighing up to 45 kilograms. In addition, TALOS takes care of the fighter’s health: the exoskeleton can stop bleeding when wounded. The exoskeleton should enter service with the US Army in 2018.

Hybrid Assistive Limb

Unlike the combat TALOS, this exoskeleton is designed to make life easier for people with health problems, namely with the musculoskeletal system. Thus, thanks to the Hybrid Assistive Limb, a person confined to a wheelchair can learn to climb stairs. Hybrid Assistive Limb responds to bioelectric signals that come from the human body.

XOS 2

XOS 2, created by Raytheon, can increase a person's strength and also protect him from external dangers. The main users of XOS 2 are military logisticians whose responsibilities include moving heavy loads. Also, the user of this exoskeleton will be able to break brick walls and break wooden beams. The main problem with XOS 2 is that it can only work if connected to an independent power source.

HULC

One of the most serious injuries an infantryman can suffer is a back injury, as infantrymen have to carry quite a lot of equipment. The HULC exoskeleton from Lockheed, which can be worn under clothing, should help infantrymen carry heavy loads. In addition, Lockheed plans to create an exoskeleton for soldiers who have already been injured. HULC exoskeleton program manager Achilles Dorothy states: “Parker Hannifin, working with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, is targeting the Indego exoskeleton to the 700,000 Americans with spinal cord injuries. Another potential user base is the approximately 600,000 people who have had a stroke and become ambulatory.”

ExoAtlet

Our compatriots are also creating exoskeletons, the purpose of which is to help people with health problems. In 2011, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the scientific team of the Research Institute of Mechanics of Moscow State University began work on the ExoAtlet. The team was able to develop several exoskeletons under the ExoAtlet brand. Passive exoskeletons increase human endurance and activity. In turn, active exoskeletons increase a person’s strength and allow him to cope with weights of up to 200 kilograms.

H-Lex

The famous automaker Hyundai presented its exoskeleton. H-LEX covers the main part of the user's body. The purpose of the exoskeleton is to help people carry heavy loads. In addition, H-LEX can help disabled people get back on their feet. The main disadvantage of this device is its bulkiness. The shape of the exoskeleton’s claws also poses certain difficulties for users. On the other hand, HI-LEX is capable of helping people carry weights of up to 50 kilograms on their back, as well as lift weights of hundreds of kilograms with their hands.

Innophys

The Japanese company Innophys presented an exoskeleton of the same name that can help people lift weights. The carrying capacity of the exoskeleton is 30 kilograms. The main users of this device are people involved in industry, as well as people caring for the elderly. A distinctive feature of the Innophys exoskeleton is that its system consists of artificial muscles, which are located in the aluminum body of the device.

NEUWalk

An unusual exoskeleton was created at the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne. Unlike most devices of this type, NEUWalk primarily stimulates internal forces. NEUWalk works by delivering electrical current to the spinal cord. The invention was tested on brain-damaged rats. By applying electrical impulses below the damaged areas of the brain, the scientists forced the rat to stand up and walk.

Chairless Chair

The invention of Swiss scientists is designed to help people who, due to their duty, have to stand on their feet for a long time. The exoskeleton does not restrict a person’s movements while on his body. The user of the Chairless Chair exoskeleton can sit down anywhere by setting the necessary parameters. The device is made of hydrocarbon fiber and aluminum, its operating time is 24 hours.

Exosuit

The exoskeleton for divers Exosuit was created by the American company Nuytco Research Ltd. It allows a person to dive to a depth of 300 meters. The pressure there is 30 times higher than on the surface. Once submerged, a diver can remain at depth for hours. Exosuit protects a person from pressure changes and low temperatures. The exoskeleton weighs 240 kilograms and measures about two meters. The diver's movement is provided by four low-thrust engines with a power of 1.6 horsepower.

The combat equipment of the future will differ significantly even from the existing complexes of individual fighter equipment. The “Ratnik” equipment set, which successfully confirmed all the implemented technological solutions in Syria, . Combat defense Generations of combat equipment are very relative. Experts say that conventions such as designations are important for understanding the differences between combat sets, but the main thing for a soldier in this regard will always remain the successful completion of the assigned task and the preservation of his own life and health. Only at first glance, the “Ratnik”, which entered experimental military service, can be characterized by the general term “equipment”. In terms of its structure and number of elements, it is rather a complex of protection, equipment and a communication and target designation device at the same time.

There are five key elements in the “Warrior” kit: a destruction system - weapons and ammunition, a protection system - body armor and body armor, a life support system - special equipment, a uniform made of special hard-to-damage materials, as well as a communication, control and target designation system. Personal armor protection in case of with KBE "Ratnik" is worth mentioning separately, since it is thanks to them that a soldier or officer from any unit can carry out assigned tasks as safely as possible. The modularity of the system ensures the main thing - versatility of application. Interchangeable elements of ceramic armor protection can be rearranged in different sets of equipment. For each type of military force, its own set of combat equipment was thought out, designed and created taking into account all the features. Thus, motorized rifle and infantry units received their own “Ratnik”, and special forces received their own. Protection from small fragments flying at a speed of 500 m/sec was also thought out for other military personnel wearing Ratnik: both tankers and reconnaissance officers have the same level of protection. Only kits for sappers are especially protected, but this solution has a fairly simple explanation: the tasks of these specialists require not only special skills, but also special equipment.

Although the tests of the Ratnik CBE were carried out in accordance with all the rules and laws of military science, many specialists have long been interested in the real effectiveness of protective equipment. The long-awaited data will be announced by the General Director of TsNIItochmash Dmitry Semizorov at the press conference of the Army-2017 forum. According to Semizorov, even when getting into scrapes, not a single penetration of armored elements was recorded. The bottom line is that this means that the specialists who carried the Ratnik in Syria will calmly complete their combat missions and return home. It is important to understand that protection from rifle bullets and shrapnel does not come with a little blood. In the case of most domestic and foreign body armor, wearing SIBZ (personal body armor) was accompanied by a multi-kilogram load on the human body. Some of these body armor, which provide safety only in the third class of protection, weighed ten or even 15 kg. The 6b45 body armor vest from the Ratnik KBE, without additional armor panels, protects the operator in class 5A and weighs only eight kilograms. If you want to make the armor more powerful, the operator will be able to use the same modular design and armor plates from more protected body armor, for example B643 with protection class 6A. Airstrike Controller Separately, military intelligence officers noted the Strelets communication and control system, which is part of the Ratnik KBE. It is no coincidence that the ground forces and special forces units were the first to receive these. The main feature of the KRUS “Strelets” electronics and surveillance and target designation equipment is the ability to quickly transmit coordinates from an observer to attack aircraft. Russian specialists carried out debugging of the “mark-and-destroy” process in Syria with great success. The ability to send data with images of the area was largely provided by the PDU-4 multifunctional devices, which, in essence, are a kind of army multi-tool, combining binoculars, a laser rangefinder and a portable camera.

The high quality of the transmitted data makes it possible to achieve the main thing - to reduce the time for receiving/transmitting and confirming the target, and therefore speed up its destruction. Aircraft controllers with such devices, according to officers familiar with the system, can only watch as the attack on the marked objects begins, and then, after some time, send photographic confirmation of the hits to headquarters. Command tablets, from which officers can control a unit, are also protected from almost all troubles that can happen in combat conditions. Electronic computers are protected according to the IP68 standard. The first digit in this index means that the device is dust and dirt resistant, the second - that even at a depth of up to one meter it can work properly. However, officers of units that used electronic tablets not only for marking electronic maps claim that the electronic device is much more resistant to external influences than is commonly believed. “If we are talking about operation in conditions that are far from comfortable, then it is worth saying that the devices not only withstand heavy rainfall and low temperatures, but also work correctly in conditions of severe heat. The word “serious” means temperatures of +40 degrees in the shade,” the officers said.

Separately, special forces officers also note the “friend or foe” identification system, which alarms the operator and attracts attention with an alarm whenever an unidentified object appears in the designated sector. "Warrior" of the future Despite the success of the combat use of the Ratnik CBE, there are considerable prospects for growth within the framework of specialized R&D. The head of TsNIITochmash Dmitry Semizorov, at the Army-2017 forum, said that work is underway to shape the appearance of the equipment of the future, the Ratnik-3 CBE. Despite the fact that TsNIITochmash specialists plan to complete the study of this issue by the end of 2017, experts are already talking about some upcoming changes. According to experts, work within the framework of the Ratnik-3 development work will inevitably be carried out with an emphasis on reducing the element base of all wearable electronics, with the possibility of maximizing its efficiency. The armored helmet demonstrated by the developers at the Army 2017 forum deserves special mention in this matter. Of course, this is just a concept, but it is already clear that most sighting and navigation devices will move from the category of wearable electronics to integrated ones. Judging by the sample presented at the Army-2017 forum, the transport systems of the kit have already undergone a significant revision. Probably for carrying heavy weapons such as anti-tank missile systems or other devices and cargo. The exoskeleton, according to some estimates, will triple the weight of wearable equipment.

The developer does not say anything about the protection classes of the armored panels, but the director of TsNIItochmash, Dmitry Semizorov, has already revealed some details regarding the new armored helmet. According to Semizorov, the helmet will have an integrated aiming, control and communication system. In addition, he will be able to recognize objects on the battlefield in the “friend or foe” system. The helmet will be able to assess the physical condition of a fighter, as well as perform the functions of a gas mask and protect him from chemical and bacteriological attacks. The body of the armored helmet will be made of a modular design from new materials. The suit, in turn, will provide protection for the entire surface of the soldier’s body. It will include elements of a system for providing medical care for wounds, assessing the physiological state, and provides modular ballistic reinforcement in the areas of projection of vital organs. The suit, which will be used during assault operations, will receive all-round armor, Semizorov added.

In 10-15 years, when the Ratnik-3 design and development work smoothly moves from sketches to prototypes, and then to production products, it will become clear how much the appearance of the Russian soldier of the future will change. Probably, by that time, all means of communication, navigation and data transmission will turn into a single device, and the circular armor of the suit itself will allow fighters to act as efficiently as possible.