This is How Iron Man-Like Exosystems Impact Soldiers' Decision Making

Researchers are making significant advances in the development of wearable, electronically responsive exoskeletons systems (or exosystems) reaching levels that may one day compete with famed comics superhero Iron Man. These incredible appendages can strongly upgrade a human’s power, mobility, agility, and even endurance and are therefore especially useful for soldiers.

As such these systems are being tested for use on the battlefield where army personnel have to achieve focused tactical maneuvers while carrying very heavy equipment. However, in doing so could these systems impair the wearers' cognitive abilities? 

MIT asked that crucial question and further conducted research to find the answer. “In a military exoskeleton, soldiers are supposed to be scanning for enemies in the environment, making sure where other people in their squad are, monitoring a whole variety of things,” said Leia Stirling, an assistant professor in MIT’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a member of the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science.

“You don’t want them to have to focus on how they’re stepping because of the exoskeleton. That’s why I was interested in how much attention these technologies require.” The research saw active-duty members of the military or participants in a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) unit tested while completing an obstacle course and produced this riveting video.

Now that we have got your attention, we will let you watch it so you can find out more about what these superhero-like wearables can possibly do to human decision making.