Elastic corset will protect your back

Carbon fiber exoskeleton will make life easier for movers

Nikolay Vorontsov, N+1

Engineers from Virginia Polytechnic University together with a chain of retail stores Lowe's has developed an exoskeleton for movers, which works due to the elasticity of carbon fiber elements. This is reported by The Verge.

Photo from Lowe's and Virginia Tech develop exosuit press release
designed to help retail employees – VM.

Exoskeletons are in demand in a variety of fields. They help in the rehabilitation of paralytics, facilitate movement over rough terrain, help builders and movers, or, for example, save elderly people from falling. It is worth noting that the vast majority of exoskeletons use various electric drives and run on batteries – this makes it possible to increase the efficiency of the structure, but makes it energy-dependent. Mechanical exoskeletons are rare, as one example is the MAX exoskeleton developed by suitX.

The exoskeleton developed by engineers from Virginia Polytechnic University also does not use any electric drives. Instead, the suit uses carbon fiber "springs", which are located on the back and hips. When a person bends over for a load, the elastic plates try to straighten back, which makes it easier to lift heavy loads. According to the developers, the design turned out to be durable, lightweight and does not restrict human movements.

The first four exoskeletons are already being used by Lowe's employees in a store located in the city Christensburg, Virginia. In the near future, the project participants intend to study the real benefits of exoskeletons in work and evaluate their impact on staff productivity.

In addition to test exoskeletons, there are also commercially available models. For example, in Japan, commercial exoskeletons are produced by Panasonic and Cyberdyne, and in Korea by Hyundai. In addition, exoskeletons are used at the shipyards of the South Korean company Daewoo. The military is also considering the prospects of using exoskeletons – in particular, this was reported by Russia and the United States.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru  18.05.2017