"Human Exoskeleton: An Exhibition of Progress"

 
Section/# Human Exoskeleton: An Exhibition of Progress 

Introduction: One of the most intriguing aspects of science is that it is able to directly and measurably benefit mankind with the progress it makes in a relatively short amount of time after a discovery has been made. Additionally, like any field of study, has the ability to piggy back of previous research and allow a type of synergy to develop in which one idea, even if it was initially a failure, can lead to another and another building a rapidly evolving body of knowledge with a high potential for development. This is illustrated in a number of ways; however, for purposes of this brief analysis, and to direct the way in which a museum exhibition could be made on such a topic, this author will focus on the development and use of what has been termed by many as a “human exoskeleton”. Whereas many scientific advancements work to aid humanity, both directly and indirectly, the recent development and use of a human exoskeleton has performed such a task in a meaningful, humanitarian, and much needed way. As such, this brief discussion hopes to chronicle the growth of this technology, provide the viewer with the appreciative importance of such a development, and seek to point to the level of human dignity to that has been gained by its introduction to those who have been born with developmental issues, been wounded, or been subsequently partially paralyzed. As such, the following exhibits help to greet the viewer with the understanding of the growth and progression of the technology as well as to paint an outline for what type of ways that this technology could be put to use to assist the individuals mentioned. Figure 1 The first evidence of what would serve as the inspiration for a human exoskeleton can be understood as a type of fusion between the deep water diving suits pictured above and the naturally occurring exoskeleton of many insect species. As a means of understanding how the exoskeleton could both enhance and strengthen the experience of those that would foreseeably utilize such a suit, developers began to consider some of the applications that would be suitable for such a device. Obviously, one of the first applications that came to mind and struck the interest of some very lucrative government contracting was that of DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Administration). As a function of the fact that these human exoskeletons had the possibility of being able to assist combat troops in performing feats that would otherwise be unattainable with the utilization of current extant technology, DARPA began to spend a large amount of money on applied research into the ways that such a suit could be militarized and serve to give a key advantage to US combat forces. However, as the subsequent additions to this project will note, the project itself has far outgrown the bounds that DARPA originally intended for it and has the additional benefit of being able to help individuals in need as well as possibly providing key useful benefits to the nation’s armed forces. Figure 2.0 However, near the beginning of the project, the exoskeleton, as the name implies, was not designed to provide much if any locomotion to the user. Rather, it was meant to act as a stabilizing device and a means by which the combat solider could carry upwards of the required battle compliment that was standard issue at the time. To this end, the researchers began to primarily focus upon the ways by which such a device could seek to augment the humans ability to carry a large amount of weight while minimizing the risk of injury to joints, knees, ankles, etc (Pons et al 220). As the research gained speed and more and more shareholders entered the process, it became clear that a much more effective means by which such an exoskeleton could benefit the user would be to find a means whereby such a device in and of itself could be powered and allow the human being to merely “ride” within it. It was at this point that the fundamental breakthrough came as the exoskeleton was no longer seen as merely something which could be utilized to assist the human being in carrying burden but something that in and of itself could carry the burden and the human along with it. In this way, the exoskeleton project became a project that no longer sought to augment the human’s ability but rather provide a vehicle in which the human could ride. Obviously, such a shift meant that the engineering which had formerly gone into the exoskeleton would no longer be sufficient for the amount of power and functionality that such a vehicle would have. Figure 3 Naturally, as the design requirements changed so too did the scope of the project. No longer was the suit meant as a means whereby the human could necessarily be augmented; instead, the suit itself had become a type of vehicle in which the individual was merely a passenger – not too dissimilar to the way a human drives a car. This too caused a host of problems with regards to development (Chiara Carrozza et al 209). Whereas the smaller suit had difficulties carrying the requisite energy to power the suit, the larger vehicle provided to have almost insatiable energy demands that must be met via a system of heavy onboard batteries