Until recently, exoskeletons, or power armor, were known to us only from Science Fiction movies. Although the first attempts to create an exoskeleton date back to the 1960s, it was only in recent years that they were presented to a wider audience.
What exactly is an exoskeleton?
An exoskeleton, or power armor, is a shell that is attached to the outside of the body and is designed to strengthen the muscles of the person wearing it. The exoskeleton can strengthen all or only some of the muscles. Such a device can be controlled in several ways. The first is mechanical control, which is carried out manually by a person who is efficient or partially in control of his body. Another way is to control it with your voice. The exoskeleton then carries out pre-programmed commands that are given by the controlling person with his voice. It can also be controlled by implants placed under the skin that read signals sent from the central nervous system.
Application of the exoskeleton
In addition to military applications and fulfilling the dreams of people fascinated by science fiction, the exoskeleton also performs other, more down-to-earth functions. It is used in such areas as medicine and industry. Exoskeletons are a great solution in the physiotherapy of people with limited mobility or completely paralyzed. In 2016, the SuitX exoskeleton made it possible for a wheelchair user to move with artificial “legs”. These mechanical armor are a salvation not only for the sick, but also for healthy people who work physically. Moving heavy packages and materials is no longer a challenge for the muscles or the spine.
Exoskeleton – what the future will bring us
What the exoskeleton will look like in the future and in what areas it will be used, we do not know yet, but we can guess. Making the exoskeleton available on a large scale would completely modernize the labor market. Manual workers would no longer have to deal with the health consequences of their work. Work would then take place faster, more efficiently, and more effectively, and at the same time without harm to human health. In addition, exoskeletons offer hope for paralyzed people with limited mobility. Thanks to them, disabled people could recover partially or fully.
The deployment of exoskeletons on a global scale will certainly be a breakthrough and will change our world. First of all, people with mobility disabilities will not be excluded from the society – despite all efforts it is impossible to provide facilities for the disabled in every place and they will always have limitations resulting from, for example, infrastructure. People will be able to live normally, work, spend time and enjoy life. There will be no more limitations for them. Body problems and injuries will not be such a terrible disease anymore. Secondly, for sure this technology will be useful for people who work physically. People will be more resistant to any kind of injury or danger and their work will be more efficient thanks to greater strength or speed. The only drawback that may stand in the way of this vision is the price. Such a device will probably not be cheap – at least at the beginning – it will probably not be available for everyone too, taking into account that such a device must be rather personalised to the person who will use it. However, I hope that with time it will be widespread and the amount of money will not be a barrier to happiness for people.
I think it is a great invention and I hope there are gonna be more. It’s great that people who use a wheelchair can stand on feet, not their own, but anyway they can see what it is like when you don’t have to be on a wheelchair all the time.