wyrmgear Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Exoskeleton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armydillo978 Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Exoskeleton Mount a machine gun on that and you'll have something like that drop trooper from WestWind's SoTR. I'd like to have seen how that thing handles after being knocked down from an explosion or had a few rounds bounce off it, specially the battery pack. It looks cool, but will probably have some freakishly stupid little fault, like not being able to work in temperatures under 75degrees or over 76 degrees like those recent helicopters we got. Or can't be used if it's raining out. Wonder if they'll make commercial versions for big companies. Heck, that'd be cool for dockwork or unloading cargo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CuCulain42 Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Wonder if they'll make commercial versions for big companies. Heck, that'd be cool for dockwork or unloading cargo. I was thinking the same thing. That would be awesome for those loading/unloading jobs that are too heavy fo a person but a forklift is a bit of overkill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baphomet69 Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I want one so I can connect it to my jet pack! I hope they fit in the trunk of my flying car!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armydillo978 Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Of course. I was also thinking how here in the US the Dpt of Homeland Security would probably want every one of those things tagged and or recorded with them. I would imagine that if Mr. Insurgent got hold of one of those and put some armor plate on it, that could be a nasty little problem. And being the mad rhino that I am at times, I can just see myself getting drunk, climbing into one of those exoskeltons things and saying to my co-workers. "Hey, watch this." Then we'll find out if the extraction tool used by the fire department will be able to cut me out of it. "Ok Sir, just try to remain calm, it's only a broken leg. Your lucky that truck only hit you twice. This will only hurt more if you keep kicking and struggling like that. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helltown Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I wasn't really thinking about the dock-loader from Aliens looking at it... My imagination probably misfired and started thinking about Starship Troopers (not the movies... those were bad adaptations.. the book). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristof65 Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 That's cool - I can see some pretty immediate uses in most light industries. Looks like it could solve some of the problems with inexperienced forklift operators driving forks through boxes. Uh oh - I just realized that the hottie UPS driver I have won't be as visable if she's wearing one of these things to pick up my packages - plus she'll be able to give me a major wedgie if she decides she doesn't like me looking... I know they're looking at these for military use at first, but that doesn't seem like the best first practical application of them - it's gonna be a long time before they're reliable enough for use under combat conditions. Heck, even some of the best uses for them - loading/unloading ordinance on planes - USAF flightlines on established bases might be ok, but what about sea spray on carriers? I think I'd start my test platforms with FedEx and UPS, or the airlines for baggage handling, rather than military usage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldarchy Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I liked how they are developing the full body armor for it. Very space agey lookin'. Don't worry about that hottie UPS driver you have kristof. If they make the full body armor I'm sure it will accentuate all the right areas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadaver Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I know they're looking at these for military use at first, but that doesn't seem like the best first practical application of them - it's gonna be a long time before they're reliable enough for use under combat conditions. Heck, even some of the best uses for them - loading/unloading ordinance on planes - USAF flightlines on established bases might be ok, but what about sea spray on carriers? I think I'd start my test platforms with FedEx and UPS, or the airlines for baggage handling, rather than military usage. Heck, a lot of the things around your house started out from military applications. Microwave...check. Radar Detector in your car...check. Velcro...check The list goes on. Simply put, the DOD puts a lot of grant money out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristof65 Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Oh, I'm very aware of that. This is just one of those things were it seems that putting civilian applications first would actually fast track the military applications, as you'd gather a ton more data in a shorter time period to improve reliability with. Overall, they'd spend less money. But then, that's just being practical, not necessarily a realist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadaver Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Oh, I'm very aware of that. This is just one of those things were it seems that putting civilian applications first would actually fast track the military applications, as you'd gather a ton more data in a shorter time period to improve reliability with. Overall, they'd spend less money. But then, that's just being practical, not necessarily a realist. 1.) The best and the brightest often work for the DoD, that's where the money is, plus job security. 2.) The inventor probably couldn't get a corporation to sponsor it, seeing as it would be a pretty specialized item. A lot of expense for a small market. It's simply easier to sell an idea to the DoD, they're not looking for profit, but an edge in technology. 3.) It's not like the DoD is spending your money...oh wait, they are, but they don't see it that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armydillo978 Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Heck, even some of the best uses for them - loading/unloading ordinance on planes - USAF flightlines on established bases might be ok, but what about sea spray on carriers? Imagine been a deck worker on a carrier during a storm. Getting washed over the side in that suit would suck big time. Specially if there's a Hollywood moment where the quick release latch doesn't release quickly. You'd sink like a rock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanite Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I'm surprised the plastic shell concepts, at the end, didn't look like GW's space marines. There's nothing not cool about powered exoarmor. Now we just need cheap, effecient, space access. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dargrin Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 I'm surprised the plastic shell concepts, at the end, didn't look like GW's space marines. I was just thinking the same thing. I missed it did they say when they think that these will be available? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armydillo978 Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 By Christmas 2008. They'll have customizable face plates that can click on and off. Like an Xbox360. I'm waiting for the Halo one. You can even choose from 5 basic color fabric patterns. Red. Blue. Green. Yellow. Pink. and Black. By 2009 they'll have the morphorer to go with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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