Robotic Skeleton Takes Load Off Humans From: Daily Californian - 03/11/2004 By: Regina Chen Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a self-powered, robotic skeleton that is designed to frame the human body, called Berkeley Lower Extremity Exoskeleton (BLEEX). Homayoon Kazerooni, a mechanical engineering professor who is the director of the Robotics and Human Engineering Laboratory, believes BLEEX is a breakthrough because of the natural way in which humans and the robot interact. The exoskeleton consists of metal leg braces, a computerized power unit, and a structure that resembles a backpack; the device enables users to carry heavy loads across long distances. During BLEEX experiments, a man wearing the 100-pound frame and a 70-pound backpack felt as if he was carrying just a few pounds. The exoskeleton is easy to use, only requiring wearers to balance it while its computer calculates controlling the frame so it moves in sync with the operator. The researchers believe BLEEX could be used by medics to carry injured soldiers off battlefields, by firefighters to carry equipment up flights of stairs, by rescue workers to bring food and emergency supplies to areas that can not be reached by vehicle, and by hikers to ease their treks. The UC Berkeley team wants to make parts of the exoskeleton more compact, the engine more powerful and quieter, and the frame strong enough to carry 120 pounds. BLEEX is a key development because researchers envision robotics as a way to help computers interact with the real world. http://www.dailycal.org/particle.php?id=14517