The testing previews the future of wearable robotic systems. IHMC Robotics/YouTube
A robotics team at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) in Florida has completed real-world tests of its exoskeleton suit that resembles the ones seen in the famous Tom Cruise movie ‘Edge of Tomorrow’.
The IHMC Robotics Lab team recently took one of their exoskeletons, Eva, for a test drive in the outside world to preview what the future of wearable robotic systems could look like.
A video of IHMC’s Eva’s first out-of-lab test highlights the device’s ability to function outside controlled environments, marking a key step toward field deployment.
Eva is built to assist workers in hazardous environments by supporting the weight of heavy personal protective equipment.
“The ability to wear it yourself, take it out into the world, and understand what the end user is going to feel is tremendously helpful for future development,” said Jared Li, a research scientist at IHMC who wore the exoskeleton in the test, in a statement.
Enhances mobility
Exoskeleton technology shows great potential in extending human capabilities, from clinical rehabilitation to heavy-duty outdoor labor.
IHMC has over a decade of expertise in mobility-restoring exoskeletons, demonstrated in the 2016 and 2020 Cybathlon competitions and the Toyota Mobility Foundation Mobility Unlimited Challenge with its Mina and Quix devices. Recently, IHMC has focused on developing exoskeletons to aid in radioactive waste cleanup.
Eva, a powered lower-body exoskeleton, is designed to offload the weight of heavy personal protective equipment (PPE) from users’ bodies to the ground while augmenting motion.
According to IHMC, the suit supports the user’s natural range of motion, ensuring unrestricted movement. It provides powered assistance to hip and knee flexion/extension and ankle plantarflexion while allowing passive movement in other degrees of freedom at the hips.
The device uses brushless DC motor actuators for the hips and knees and cables connected to backpack-mounted actuators for the ankles. The backpack also houses a custom power system for battery operation and charge monitoring. Additionally, it features a custom harness to integrate a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) tank, enabling seamless compatibility with nuclear site PPE.
Eva’s design includes multiple adjustable features, such as length-adjustable thighs and shanks, adjustable leg interfaces, a height-adjustable torso brace, and size-adjustable foot attachments, allowing it to fit a wide range of body types.
Exoskeleton aims to support workforce
The Eva exoskeleton’s test was conducted with Sandia National Laboratories, supported by the US Department of Energy. The project focuses on using wearable robotic systems in nuclear remediation efforts. The goal is to address health challenges faced by an aging, specialized workforce in hazardous roles.
While the current focus is on nuclear remediation, the technology has the potential for many applications, such as in disaster response or heavy industry.
IHMC claims the collaboration highlights how robotics can enhance safety and productivity in challenging work environments, paving the way for innovative solutions to support workers in critical, high-risk jobs.
“The overall goal of Eva, as well as future exoskeleton projects, is to develop useful devices that have direct real-world applications. We hope that this work will lead to injury risk reduction across industries so that workers can complete their jobs knowing that they aren’t taking the job home with them,” said IHMC in a statement.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
0COMMENT
ABOUT THE EDITOR
Jijo Malayil Jijo is an automotive and business journalist based in India. Armed with a BA in History (Honors) from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University, and a PG diploma in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, he has worked for news agencies, national newspapers, and automotive magazines. In his spare time, he likes to go off-roading, engage in political discourse, travel, and teach languages.
