The Bright and Exciting Future of Exoskeletons

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We have all seen exoskeletons in movies with perhaps the most notable of these being Iron Man's suit. However, these strength-enhancing mechanisms also have many applications in real life.

There's Exosapien Technologies' suit that is powerful enough to lift a truck. There's Ford's EksoVest that's designed to provide assistance for assembly line workers and help reduce injury from repetitive tasks. There's Lowe’s Iron Man Suit that's engineered to provide mechanical assistance during strenuous activities like lifting heavy loads in Lowe’s warehouses. And there's plenty more.

It seems that we are increasingly witnessing the arrival of these devices in work settings and perhaps even in everyday activities. But what exactly is an exoskeleton? Exoskeletons are wearable robotic units with onboard computers that manage a system of motors, pneumatics, levers, or hydraulics to restore or augment our movement.

They were first introduced for medical and military applications, but have since expanded to other industries, like manufacturing and construction. What does the future hold for these suits as they continue to increase in popularity? When might we be witnessing the arrival of these devices on our streets? In how many ways can they possibly help us? This video answers all these questions and more.