Robert Heinlein - Right Again
Robert Heinlein, the late science fiction writer accurately predicted a number of different technological advances, one example being "Waldos" or remote manipulator arms. Another of his concepts is coming true in Japan right now: The powered suit that he envisioned in Starship Troopers (the book, not the execrable mess that Paul Verhoeven puked up on the big screen, starring Doogie Houser, GI). In the book, the powered suit was used for war, the Japanese are perfecting it for a peaceful purpose. They are developing it as a way for health care workers to lift patients.
Driven by portable batteries, micro air pumps and small body sensors that pick up even the slightest muscle twitch, the Stand-Alone Wearable Power Assist Suit is designed to help nursing home workers lift patients of up to 180 pounds while cutting the amount of strength required in half, project researcher Hirokazu Noborisaka told LiveScience today.
At Wired Magazine's NextFest new-technology forum here, researchers demonstrated walking and lifting weights in the 66-pound suit, which was developed at the High-Tech Research Center of Japan's Kanagawa Institute of Technology.
"When I wear it, I don't feel that it's heavy at all," said project team member Hiroe Tsukui after stepping out of the power suit. "The sensors can tell the muscle power needed to lift an object."
A network of sensors track the wearer's upper arms and legs and waist-muscle activity, then relay the data to an onboard microcomputer that regulates air flow into a series of inflatable cuffs which expand to amplify lifting strength. The suit supports its own weight and carries a battery lifetime of about 30 minutes.
All of which is not to say that there is not still interest in powered armor.
By Brass, Friday, 29 September , 2006 @ 1:16 pm
John Steakley’s book “Armor” was a good read with powered armor front and center.
By Gaius, Friday, 29 September , 2006 @ 1:24 pm
Yeah, that was a good read. He admits he borrowed the idea from Heinlein.
By guy, Friday, 29 September , 2006 @ 2:50 pm
Heh, Steakley’s book was the first thing that came to my mind as well.
So. The need for a powered assist to lift patients - is the average Japanese getting a little tubby as well?
By Gaius, Friday, 29 September , 2006 @ 2:52 pm
I’d be more worried about the fact they now have an agressive PM who wants a more robust military. Hmmmm.
By Gaius, Friday, 29 September , 2006 @ 2:53 pm
By the way, I loved Armor.
By Brass, Friday, 29 September , 2006 @ 3:37 pm
China would crap their collective pants if Japan suddenly showed up with men in powered suits mounted with mini-guns and rockets. HehHeh. Fun to imagine.
Steakley’s other book, Vampire$, was great too. To bad Carpenter had to screw the movie up.
By guy, Saturday, 30 September , 2006 @ 3:39 am
Now that I think about this - the exoskeleton might not be for lifting patients OR attacking China.
Has anyone been keeping an eye on Monster Island lately?
Could there be some “Godzilla-related turbulence” ahead?