Military exoskeleton of Russian manufacture. Military technology

New modern technologies fill our life with amazing inventions and gadgets. Every day we use household appliances, previously considered nothing more than fiction. The Internet, smartphones, cars stuffed with sensors and autopilot are common things and phenomena that brighten up our lives. It turns out that the military industry is moving the technical progress of the evolution of mankind. For example, a microwave oven was first available to the military, and then the civilian population of the planet learned about it. In our lives with you entered satellites, computers and much more. Soon we will be available and military exoskeleton.

What are we talking about?

After reading the last paragraph, many were surprised or even scared of the word "exoskeleton". Do not panic, let's figure it out and determine what kind of "beast" is and why it is needed.

Exoskeleton is the newest unique development of scientists in the field of science, such as biomechanics. The technology is made in the form of an external frame system, which is designed to strengthen the muscular strength of a human or an android robot. This term was taken from biology. It means a surface skeleton in invertebrate organisms. Such a technology in the future will eliminate physical limitations in human life, as well as in the use of mechanisms. Military technology and its needs have surpassed all expectations. It is said that in 5-6 years in the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation special equipment will appear.

You have already understood and guessed that the development of exoskeletons is the sphere of interests of the Ministry of Defense. After all, such a development will increase the capabilities and physical capabilities of the soldier. In the future, these technologies are to be used on space vehicles, as well as in machines for immersion to extreme depths for research.

How did it all start?

A military exoskeleton has become common in a fantasy world. Such devices we saw in video games, movies and cartoons, but in the development of these "costumes" appeared not so long ago. The very first presented the world with American military technology in the 60s of the twentieth century. But it was so heavy and low-mobile that it was necessary to exclude the possibility of using it in practice. General Electric and United Steadies Militari closed the project, which did not achieve positive results. Samples that have been successfully applied have appeared recently. Positively proved to be an exoskeleton of Russian origin. Suits are being developed by other countries: USA, Israel, Japan. And what do you think, which powers are competing among themselves in this development? The honor to wear the name "military exoskeleton" was awarded to the development of the United States and the Russian Federation!

Exotic suits today

In various games there is an exoskeleton: "Stalker", "Warface", "Starcraft", "Crisis" and others. But in reality these costumes are only being developed. In our country this novelty is developed by the Research Institute of Mechanics of the Moscow State University under the logo "ExoAtlet". In America, two vehicles are being developed in parallel: light infantry "Hulk" from the company "Loked Martin" and multipurpose heavy "X-2" from the manufacturer "Raytheon".

A large amount of information on developments is closed. But the biomechanics of man in our country wants to release a device for the open market. Soon there will be a skeleton of medical purpose.

Medical exoskeleton

Systems of Russian production are planned to be used in medicine. This will expand the chances of people chained to a wheelchair. The human biomechanics is trying to introduce such devices into the rehabilitation process. They will perform several functions simultaneously:

• Replacement wheelchair;
• Simulator for people with diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• A means of social and emotional rehabilitation.

The owner of such equipment will be able to move independently and even get rid of the problem of a "bottom-up" view.

Emergency and rescue version of the suit

The military exoskeleton was designed to solve several problems:

• Transportation of very heavy goods for humans over long distances;
• Demining of the area;
• Participation in anti-terrorist operations;
• Elimination of the consequences of man-made disasters and natural disasters;
• Analysis of caving and blockages;
• Extinguishing fires, when the air reserve in the rescuer's breathing apparatus is limited, etc.

What is the costume of a modern superhero?

The exoskeleton of Russian manufacture is executed in the form of a frame, located behind the owner's back. There are also two arms for the arm and leg on one side of the trunk. The limbs that perform the role of the hand, the device does not. Domestic development differs from the overseas analog. Our apparatus is passive in nature. It is not equipped with servo drives, that is, the movement is carried out due to the muscle strength of the device owner.

But the world community believes that our development is far more promising than the US in terms of mass application. "ExoAtlet" allows the soldier to carry a cargo weighing about a hundred kilograms. The thing is that the weight on the frame is correctly distributed. Such a solution makes the production of exoskeletons cheaper tens of times, which makes it possible to equip more fighters.

Overseas analogue

In the US development built in a large number of electronics and batteries. In addition to the high cost, in the western construction there is another problem - autonomy. Engineers have achieved that the system works 72 hours. But soon the question arises of charging or replacing the power supply unit (battery), because in the field it is very problematic, and sometimes impossible!

Critics saw another problem of the American "HALK". What should a fighter do if the design is exhausted, and there is no way to restore the energy resource? Designers say that this situation is not at all a problem. These military robots can easily be folded, turning them into a kind of backpack. But such a robot has a weight of about 25 kg. And what should a defender do: throw expensive development or carry another 25 kg of excess weight, not counting those 100 kg of luggage?

Maintainability of HULC

In the field, reliability and the possibility of repairing this technique also causes a large number of questions. For military equipment, these parameters are very important. For example, small arms will be effective if it resists unfavorable factors, and the soldier can repair it with improvised weapons in the process of exploitation. It is not known how the unprotected electronics of the American analogue behave in the conditions of frost or dust. In order to disable a fighter with such a "gizmo", it is enough to fire a firearm into a structural element, power supply or hydraulics. As a result, the super suit will turn into heavy ballast. Repair such a thing in the field is not possible due to increased technological complexity.

The Russian exoskeleton

In the domestic version there are no problems with the power supply. Our "ExoAtlet" is limited only by the physical capabilities of the fighter. The device does not relieve the physical load from the warrior, but allows you to carry up to 100 kg of equipment and weapons. Our development does not bear the burden, it helps a person to perform this function. Military development is unique. Engineers have achieved that ExoAtlet has a mass of only 12 kg. This is one of its advantages. After all, in the conditions of battle, every gram counts. We must understand that excess weight slows down the activity of the fighter. This negatively affects the effectiveness of the warrior. And the ease of such a design is an obvious plus.

The military application of ExoAtlet is also due to the fact that hydraulics and electronics are not available. The device is a simple and lightweight metal structure. After all, the simpler the equipment, the less negative factors affect it, whether it is a breakdown or harsh climatic conditions. Repair also hold will be much easier. Our developers have created such a skeleton, in which there is practically nothing to be damaged. And mechanics in combat are much easier to reconstruct than electronics. In connection with these factors, domestic development is much more reliable than Western counterparts.

Simply put, soon in the defense of our country there will be simple and economical military robots. And at this time, Western engineers continue to rack their brains. They have to go a long way to refine and improve their offspring. Recently, HULC participated in military trials, but, unfortunately, the results were disappointing. Therefore, the military youth of the United States will not soon see the exosuit on their shoulders.

The history of the creation of ExoAtlet

• 2011 - MSU scientists won the tender of the Ministry of Emergencies for the development of the skeleton. The following years the team creates passive and active devices. Passive was not afraid of fire, weighed 12 kg and carried weights to 100 kg. Active allowed the soldier to lift the weight up to 200 kg.
• 2013 - a team of scientists separated to develop ExoAtlet for medical purposes. Their motto was that real people will be walking in exoskeletons.

• 2014 - MSU Research Institute receives the main prize from Startup Village. The team became a resident of Skolkovo, and also entered the top five finalists of the Generation S competition and performed at the Sochi Olympics in robotics. Then there was the presentation of the development in Singapore and conducting negotiations with the country's chief rehabilitator.
• 2015 is the first sale. Arkhangelsk Oblast purchased 6 suits for research and testing. In the same year, the first trip to the Middle East took place. At the X Venture Fair in Kazan, the team won first place in the nomination of high technology.
• 2016 - ExoAtlet crosses the Atlantic and conquers the American and Asian markets. This year is associated with the developers of the skeleton with a shot from the signal pistol. The sales of devices begin in Russia, and serious clinical studies are beginning.

ExoAtlet at home

Our "Athlete" is designed in such a way that it completely reproduces the wearer's walk. But this does not mean that the process will be carried out without the participation of the host. This movement can be compared to riding a bicycle. Man will have to get used to management. With such equipment, you need to learn to balance again and take the first steps one by one. This process takes from several hours to several days. The training procedure for exoskeleton management is performed in the clinic where the device is regulated under the owner's personal parameters:

• Width of the pelvis;
• Backrest height;
• Length and proportion of legs.

Naturally, everything passes under the control of a doctor who, before each exercise, carries out a complete body check. Further, the patient has the right to conduct training and rehabilitation at home, but again under supervision. The robot captures the telemetry data and transmits it to the observation center.

If the spinal cord was injured relatively recently, then there is a chance to avoid disability. But this "golden hour" does not last long. The sooner the patient gets to his feet and takes the first step with the help of ExoAtlet, the more he has the chances to restore the motor functions and return to normal life. But it is important to remember that the process of rehabilitation for everyone depends on the life of the affected person.

In case of complete loss of motor functions, ExoAtlet will become a partial replacement for a wheelchair. It should be understood that in a suit you can not spend days on end, as this means of rehabilitation. Daily training in a suit will be replaced immediately by three physiotherapists, and also fundamentally change the quality of life of paralyzed patients. The exoskeleton will help people start walking. Walking will lead to the fact that lung ventilation will improve significantly, blood pressure will return to normal, increased mobility of the joints, urinary tract infections will disappear, the internal organs and muscles will be restored, and the intestine will work. All this is a physiological effect.

Emotional and psychological aspects in the life of a disabled person are no less important. Paralyzed people when using ExoAtlet noticed that they have improved their mood and attitude to the world around them. Their lives began to fill with colors, positive impressions and emotions. They have new forces. Now they are able to communicate on a par with other people. There is a fire and interest in life in the eyes of the ExoAtlet pilots. They say that behind their back is not electronics and a battery, but a pair of technological wings.

Japanese HAL

In the Land of the Rising Sun, the biomechanics of man does not stand still. Scientists of the Japanese experimental laboratory have developed a hybrid auxiliary limb. Today on the island it is used by people with disabilities. The development and improvement of this costume took place in the University of Tsukuba for 20 years! Today, the Japanese are actively introducing HAL technology in medicine. The company Cyberdyne (the owner of rights to the exoskeleton) leased more than three hundred copies. Back in 2013, the invention received a certificate of safety in use. This fact opened the way to the device on the world market, and also confirmed its reliability.

The holder of the HAL-5 modification can lift and move things and objects that exceed the maximum load in natural conditions by five times the mass. Such a turn in the world of technology and robots greatly simplifies the work of rescuers and liquidators of various consequences. But this modification has not yet been implemented.

Conclusion

Earlier we saw fantastic developments in the cinema. In games they met an exoskeleton ("Stalker"), but they could not even think that such technologies would soon become available to an ordinary person. In 2017, active tests are being conducted in the field of costume control by the power of thought. Our scientists are now required to teach the operating system to instantly read the operator's soaps. The problems of battery autonomy are gradually being resolved, since the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation plans to start purchasing such devices as early as the beginning of 2020. We can only wait and hold the fists for our bright heads at the Institute of Mechanics of the Moscow State University.

Today in Russia there is no market for similar products. We still have to create it. The question remains whether the engineers and designers will bring their child to perfection. The national team of ExoAtlet will have to solve a huge number of complex issues: synchronization of reading the pulse and the reaction of equipment, increasing the battery capacity, reducing its weight and much more. This direction in the world is gaining momentum and is becoming popular more and more. Grow and competitors, conducting a huge number of tests. European experts estimated the exoskeleton market as much as 1.5 billion euros. Let us wish the Russian developers luck, creative successes and regular breakthroughs and discoveries on their hard creative path!