The use of exoskeletons continues to shift from science fiction to reality, with the technology currently being used for heavy lifting in South Korea.
Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, a large corporation in the country, is making use of the suits by having their shipyard workers wear them during duties that involve lifting heavy objects, according to Discovery News.
The workers wear the suits by strapping their feet into boots that are anchored to act as the base for the backpack and lifters. Each unit weighs 60 pounds and is made of carbon, steel and aluminum alloy. While wearing the suit, workers don't feel an extra weight placed on them because the suits support themselves when attached.
The exoskeleton can handle its own weight, plus an addition of close to 70 pounds, while workers lift heavy pieces of piping or metal, Mashable reported. Its designers are looking to improve the suit so it can eventually lift over 200 pounds.
Each unit is hydraulically powered and is capable of running for close to three hours on just one battery charge. Some suits come with an attachment that arcs over the worker's head and could be used as a small crane for certain tasks.
The suit still has several issues to work on, such as its footpads not being able to operate very well on slippery or inclined surfaces, Discovery News reported. Its rigs also don't allow the wearer to do a lot of twisting motions while wearing the unit.
Daewoo launched a successful pilot program with the technology last year, and is currently making the exoskeletons available for its workers to use regularly in the shipyards.
