Human Exoskeleton: An Exhibition of Progress - Capstone Project Example

Section/# Human Exoskeleton: An Exhibition of Progress Introduction: One of the most intriguing aspects of science is that it is able to directly and measurably benefit mankind with the progress it makes in a relatively short amount of time after a discovery has been made. Additionally, like any field of study, has the ability to piggy back of previous research and allow a type of synergy to develop in which one idea, even if it was initially a failure, can lead to another and another building a rapidly evolving body of knowledge with a high potential for development. This is illustrated in a number of ways; however, for purposes of this brief analysis, and to direct the way in which a museum exhibition could be made on such a topic, this author will focus on the development and use of what has been termed by many as a “human exoskeleton”. Whereas many scientific advancements work to aid humanity, both directly and indirectly, the recent development and use of a human exoskeleton has performed such a task in a meaningful, humanitarian, and much needed way. As such, this brief discussion hopes to chronicle the growth of this technology, provide the viewer with the appreciative importance of such a development, and seek to point to the level of human dignity to that has been gained by its introduction to those who have been born with developmental issues, been wounded, or been subsequently partially paralyzed. As such, the following exhibits help to greet the viewer with the understanding of the growth and progression of the technology as well as to paint an outline for what type of ways that this technology could be put to use to assist the individuals mentioned. Figure 1 The first evidence of what would serve as the inspiration for a human exoskeleton can be understood as a type of fusion between the deep water diving suits pictured above and the naturally occurring exoskeleton of many insect species. As a means of understanding how the exoskeleton could both enhance and strengthen the experience of those that would foreseeably utilize such a suit, developers began to consider some of the applications that would be suitable for such a device. Obviously, one of the first applications that came to mind and struck the interest of some very lucrative government contracting was that of DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Administration). As a function of the fact that these human exoskeletons had the possibility of being able to assist combat troops in performing feats that would otherwise be unattainable with the utilization of current extant technology, DARPA began to spend a large amount of money on applied research into the ways that such a suit could be militarized and serve to give a key advantage to US combat forces. However, as the subsequent additions to this project will note, the project itself has far outgrown the bounds that DARPA originally intended for it and has the additional benefit of being able to help individuals in need as well as possibly providing key useful benefits to the nation’s armed forces. Figure 2.0 However, near the beginning of the project, the exoskeleton, as the name implies, was not designed to provide much if any locomotion to the user. Rather, it was meant to act as a stabilizing device and a means by which the combat solider could carry upwards of the required battle compliment that was standard issue at the time. To this end, the researchers began to primarily focus upon the ways by which such a device could seek to augment the humans ability to carry a large amount of weight while minimizing the risk of injury to joints, knees, ankles, etc (Pons et al 220). As the research gained speed and more and more shareholders entered the process, it became clear that a much more effective means by which such an exoskeleton could benefit the user would be to find a means whereby such a device in and of itself could be powered and allow the human being to merely “ride” within it. It was at this point that the fundamental breakthrough came as the exoskeleton was no longer seen as merely something which could be utilized to assist the human being in carrying burden but something that in and of itself could carry the burden and the human along with it. In this way, the exoskeleton project became a project that no longer sought to augment the human’s ability but rather provide a vehicle in which the human could ride. Obviously, such a shift meant that the engineering which had formerly gone into the exoskeleton would no longer be sufficient for the amount of power and functionality that such a vehicle would have. Figure 3 Naturally, as the design requirements changed so too did the scope of the project. No longer was the suit meant as a means whereby the human could necessarily be augmented; instead, the suit itself had become a type of vehicle in which the individual was merely a passenger – not too dissimilar to the way a human drives a car. This too caused a host of problems with regards to development (Chiara Carrozza et al 209). Whereas the smaller suit had difficulties carrying the requisite energy to power the suit, the larger vehicle provided to have almost insatiable energy demands that must be met via a system of heavy onboard batteries. Eventually, this developmental progression was also abandoned and a type of fusion between the two devices was agreed upon. In this way, DARPA and those that funded the project sought to return to the earlier versions of the project and create a more integrated unit that would more appropriately assist the soldier in performance of every day duties rather than being a type of unit that in and of itself made the soldier plus the gear plus the power source something that was so bulky and unusable that its applications would necessarily be limited. By means of returning the project to a more reasonable size, the issue of power storage for the unit was also minimized. Figure 4 As with most advancements in technology that are originally discovered and developed for the military, the spillover effect has the ability to greatly improve the lives of individuals within civilian society. Although countless examples of this exist, one need look no further than the fact that a litany of medical applications exist for the self-powered exoskeletons that have thus far been discussed and/or analyzed. With respect to those that have been born deformed, those that have been paralyzed, or those that have sustained debilitating wounds or amputations, the applications that the powered human exoskeleton brings are literally boundless. For this reason and to such an end, beginning in 2010, 3 firms announced that they were entering the market for the powered exoskeleton; intending on marketing it specifically and solely to the medical and prosthetic community (Jarrasse 699). As pictured above, the ways in which such a suit is able to assist those who have lost movement of their legs, or suffer from any of the number of issues mentioned previously, can indeed regain their mobility and dignity via such a tool. Naturally, as with any emergent technology, the largest impediment which is currently faced has to do with the fact that the price per unit is currently so high that it is priced beyond the reach of nearly every individual that could benefit from such a device. However, as has been evidenced by countless other technologies, a greater number of entrants into the market combined with a higher degree of demand and a higher number of units manufactured will necessarily drive costs down. Furthermore, as the medical community begins to realize the such suits can provide key benefits that previously utilized motorized chairs would, it is doubtless that a further shift, support, and insurance recognition of these will doubtless be effected over a period of time. Conclusion: Whereas the applications for such a suit are practically limitless, the focus that has been specifically elaborated upon in this brief analysis has been the ways in which such a suit can serve to enrich and benefit those who have suffered from a litany of medical conditions. In this way, the scientific development initially instigated by DARPA has the profound possibility of benefiting the lives of a great number of people who would otherwise be bound to a life in a wheelchair or in a hospital bed. In this way, the importance of a technology that can seek to give back to these individuals a degree of freedom, dignity, and mobility cannot be underemphasized. Moreover, with the changing face of technology and the benefits that have already been proven, as evidenced by the photographic evidence that this brief analysis has provided, it is within the realm of possibility that such a technology could revolutionize the state of being disabled. Whereas key developments in technology have done this previously, it is the intent of this particular exhibition to greet the viewer with one highly promising means by which such a liberation could likely be effected within the coming years. Works Cited Maria Chiara Carrozza, et al. "Sensing Pressure Distribution On A Lower-Limb Exoskeleton Physical Human-Machine Interface." Sensors (14248220) 11.1 (2011): 207-227. Academic Search Complete. Web. 16 Dec. 2012. Jarrasse, Nathanaël, and Guillaume Morel. "Connecting A Human Limb To An Exoskeleton." IEEE Transactions On Robotics 28.3 (2012): 697-709. Business Source Premier. Web. 16 Dec. 2012. José L. Pons, et al. "Online Assessment Of Human-Robot Interaction For Hybrid Control Of Walking." Sensors (14248220) 12.1 (2012): 215-225. Academic Search Complete. Web. 16 Dec. 2012. Read More