Two Scots, Richard Little and Robert Irving, who grew up in Fort William and went on to study engineering, have produced Robotic Exoskeleton (Rex) legs which 84lbs (38kg) operated by a small electric motor powered from a lightweight battery with the device going into production later this year.

Wheelchair users move to the device in a sitting position, and strap themselves in, directing its movements through an arm control panel  joystick. Rex can stand, walk on the flat or up gentle slopes, turn around and go up or down stairs.

Paraplegic Hayden Allen, who had been told by doctors he would never walk again after a motorcycle accident injured his spinal cord five years ago, was one of the first to try Rex demonstrating its abilities by walking across the makers' Auckland workshop to John Key, the Prime Minister, during the launch.

Little emigrated to New Zealand in 1992 followed by Irving who was the catalyst to develop Rex came when he developed multiple sclerosis. "In addition, both of our mothers are in wheelchairs, so we are aware of some of the obstacles and access issues faced by many wheelchair users," he said.

A  beermat concept, the first prototype came four years later. Rex Bionics Ltd, formerly Smart Orthotics now offers a robotic exoskeleton for disabled users. The company incorporated in 2007 and is based in North Shore City, New Zealand. The price of Rex for overseas buyers estimated around NZ$208,000 (£97,200).

Warrior exoskeletons

Lockheed Martin has just received a $1.1 m contract from the US Army Natick Soldier Center for test and evaluation of its next-generation HULC advanced robotic exoskeleton, designed to augment Soldiers' strength and endurance, as well as reduce load carriage injuries.

Under this contract, the US Army will test Lockheed Martin's advanced ruggedised HULC design.  The upgraded HULC system includes optimised control software, extended battery life and human factors improvements for quicker and easier sizing to each user.  Lockheed Martin is also exploring exoskeleton designs to support industrial and medical applications.

"The tests performed on Lockheed Martin's HULC system will help us assess the current state of the technology," said David Audet, U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, which awarded the contract.   "Exoskeletons have the potential to reduce stress on the body from heavy loads.  Dismounted Soldiers often carry heavy combat loads that increase stress on the body, leading to injuries and exhaustion. "

 HULC is designed to transfer the weight from heavy loads to the ground through the robotic legs of the lower-body exoskeleton, taking the weight off of the operator. 

An advanced onboard micro-computer ensures the exoskeleton moves in concert with the operator.  HULC is an un-tethered, battery powered, hydraulic-actuated anthropomorphic exoskeleton capable of performing deep squats, crawls and upper-body lifting with minimal human exertion.

"We recognise the importance of perfecting the exoskeleton technology to redefine what is possible for our Soldiers," said Rich Russell, director of Sensors, Data Links and Advanced Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.  "HULC will meet Warfighters' future mobility and sustainment needs.  Working with the Natick Research Center to evaluate the system will further enhance our ability to meet our customer's needs and requirements."

Researchers at Natick Soldier Center will evaluate how the HULC affects Soldiers' performance.  Additionally, biomechanical testing will measure the energy expended by a Soldier when using the HULC.  The laboratory testing will also assess how quickly users learn to use the HULC system when carrying various loads and moving at various speeds.  The contract includes options for field trials to test the system's utility in operational environments.

Japan takes suit approach

In Japan, Cyberdyne was founded in June 2004 as a venture company start up for the Hybrid Assistive Limb HAL robotic suit or exoskeleton developed by Professor Yoshiyuki Sankai of Tsukuba University Graduate School who developed the robot suit that enhances human body functions and awarded for his work this year.

Cyberdyne has just begun building a lab that will mass produce 400-500 of the suits annually, starting this October, with a Gizmodo reported rental of $1,000/month.

People attempting to move send nerve signals from the brain to the muscles via motoneuron, moving the musculoskeletal system as a consequence. Currently very weak biosignals can be detected on the surface of the skin. "HAL" catches these signals through a sensor attached on the skin of the wearer.

Based on the signals obtained, the power unit is controlled to move the joint with the wearer's muscle movement, enabling it to support the wearer's daily activities.  "HAL" is the world's first cyborg-type robot controlled by this unique Hybrid System. "HAL" is expected to be applied in various fields such as rehabilitation support and physical training support in medical field.

Prof. Sankai (left) and his team specially designed "HAL" for climbing mountains and work even in the snow at 4000 meters height. In the near future, it will be possible to be worn outside under specific safety instructions and the usage guidelines.

The latest battery has an extended life and now runs for 5 hours under normal activities.