Fewer soldiers would sustain injuries related to the physical demands of moving around heavy gear once a team of Army and academic researchers are finished developing an unpowered exosuit.
The service reported that more than 100 troops at three posts gave prototype suits high marks. The Army Pathfinder program is fostering the project, in which soldiers from the Fort Campbell, Kentucky-based 101st Airborne Division are collaborating with engineers at Vanderbilt University. The exoskeleton they have developed and are testing so far has facilitated test subjects’ ability to lift heavy objects, thus reducing back strain, during sustainment and logistics operations.
The lightweight exoskeleton suit, as one would expect, has a long name and short acronym by which to identify it: Soldier Assistive Bionoc Exosuit for Resupply, or SABER. Now that the Pathfinder team has completed its work, the next step would entail preparation for manufacturing and what the Army calls a “robust field trial.” The Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM) is handling this phase.
“By engaging soldiers earlier in the research and development process, we are able to make them aware of emerging research and technologies that academia can provide to help meet their needs,” said Dr. Arwen DeCostanza, Pathfinder program manager. “Collaborative projects like this one yield discoveries and future outcomes by capitalizing on the creativity of soldiers, faculty, students, industry partners and the Army science and technology community.”
The suit is designed to be soft and form-fitting, in addition to lightweight. Soldiers would engage it when they need to lift heavy objects like ammunition cases.
“We didn’t try to create Iron Man – a complex, full-body, rigid unrealistic suit,” said Karl Zelik, an associate professor at Vanderbilt who holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering. “Instead, we started by deeply understanding soldier needs to develop a lightweight, low-profile, non-powered wearable tool that helps provide much-needed assistance without slowing soldiers down or interfering with other operational tasks.”
The soldiers who took part in tests of the suit, which is based on similar ones now in commercial use, reported less back strain and greater endurance.
How Divorce Impacts Your Military Benefits
Policies Revised on Vaccination Status, Mask Wearing, Social Distancing in Federal Workplace
Contractor for New TSP System Owns Up to Missteps
PACT Act Passes for Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits, Agent Orange, and Radiation
Congress Approves New VA Personnel Authorities in PACT Act; Survey Reveals Impact of Vacancies
DoD’s Tainted Claim Policy and Unjust Enrichment at the Expense of the Servicemember
Under Investigation? Know Your Rights and Don’t Engage the Enemy Alone
Will ‘Outside Activities’ Lead to a Security Review?
What Veterans and Service Members Need to Know About Military Discharge Upgrades