A preliminary study of the military applications and future of individual exoskeletons

Abstract

Abstract In today’s battlefield, soldiers are increasingly more mobile, better protected and relying heavily on information. The price to pay is that they also have to carry more and more when they are out in the field. In a harsh and hostile environment, the increasing loads can be too much or even fatal for soldiers. As a result, exoskeletons that help make faster, stronger and more endurable soldiers have become a focal point of research. With an eye on its applications in the military, we have categorized exoskeletons as two types, namely, active and passive, and examined its research status quo. We suggest that efforts be taken to further categorize exoskeletons for soldiers. And typical military scenarios where five different exoskeletons can be used are elaborated. In conclusion, we have looked into the future of individual exoskeletons in terms of its technology and roadmap of development. It is now clearer where individual exoskeletons can be used and in which direction should research efforts be made.