While the Iron Man technology presented in the comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) seems like the distant dream of science fiction, a manufacturer of exoskeletons expects similar inventions to eventually become mainstream.
According to the BBC, California's SuitX believes the future will include the mainstream distribution of exoskeleton technologies. The process has already begun, with the equipment being implemented into various scenarios around the world. The founder, Homayoon Kazerooni, said, "There is no doubt in my mind that these devices will eventually be sold at hardware stores. As the prices come down you'll be able to simply buy them at Home Depot."
The exoskeletons Kazerooni referred to are not as advanced as Tony Stark's flying armor, but they make life easier nonetheless. The term also covers a broad category of devices, with some including motors and hydraulics, while others simply use springs and dampeners. The general purpose is simply to enhance the capabilities of the wearer, often through the use of additional support. "We've shown that muscle activity in the back, shoulder and knees drops by 50%. If muscle activities drop, that means the risk of muscle injury is less," Kazerooni said.
While primarily dedicated to military and medical uses in the past, the technology has already begun the transition into the manufacturing industry. Kazerooni said, "This means that factory or plant managers get more productivity, their insurance costs are lower, and there are less workdays lost to injury. There's less cost and more productivity."
While not quite as flashy as the heroics performed by Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man, the technology could be life-altering. Chief executive of MyPlanet, Jason Cottrell, remarked on the technology, "Devices that support a person's frame while doing their job will fundamentally change how the industries run." However, for anyone hoping for an exoskeleton that feels like a superpower, such devices might also soon be a reality. Cottrell stated that Delta Airlines has been working on a full-body exoskeleton, alongside Sarcos Robotics, to support freight-handling and ground support staff. The technology reportedly allows users to lift up to 90kg for eight-hour periods.
While all that was proposed sounded ideal, Oxford University's Professor Sandra Wachter, a senior research fellow in AI, cautioned that it could open the gateway to some potential concerns. Many advanced exoskeletons incorporate AI, although nowhere near as advanced as Iron Man's J.A.R.V.I.S. However, such AI could also introduce new forms of surveillance into the workplace, with workers' speed and breaks being closely monitored and compared.
At present, average shoppers should not expect to be able to pick up an exoskeleton, as Accenture's Adrian Spragg averaged the cost of one at "around $45,000." However, as Kazerooni initially stated, prices are expected to fall, and he foresees them eventually tapping into new markets, including recreation.
Source: BBC
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