subject: Armor Of The Future [print this page] Armor Of The Future Armor Of The Future
As far as technology is concerned, there seems to be no limit to what mankind is capable of doing. Innovation is the power mankind possesses which makes us the steward of God's creation, as the theological perspective might put it. As time passes by technology grows in time. It continues to evolve whether in every three years or a decade or every generation like a human body that develops in every couple of years. Technology walks hand in hand with human existence. Technology is the reason why we exist in this world. Borrowing from the quote in the movie Kingdom of Heaven it is asked of us, "What man is a man if he does not make the world better?"
Humanity strives to make the world better and what better way to do it other than taking it literally, per say, "augmenting one's capabilities"? Since the Antiquities and the Middle ages, humanity has invented this technological innovation called the armor. Any person wearing it gives him or her the power to be impervious from physical blows. The metal coating makes a soldier or a warrior less vulnerable to an enemy and gives him or her the chance to prolong the fight. These metal suits worn by the Greek hoplites of the knights in Medieval Europe are the first known exoskeleton invented.
But in the contemporary times, mankind sought ways to improve exoskeleton technology. Unlike centuries ago where it is merely used for protection, exoskeleton suits have gone the very long way compared to their ancient predecessors. Recent technology has proved that exoskeleton suits are used not only for added protection but for augmented physical attributes. That's right. Exoskeleton suits are geared towards making a person become faster and stronger, far better than his or her normal performance.
USA is the greatest benefactor and patron for the exoskeleton suit technology. The same technology is used to create prosthetic limbs. Inevitably, medicine will find its way in tapping the scientific knowledge used in powered exoskeleton suit for its superior medical-purpose performance. But no other faction supports the use of exoskeleton suit other than the military. For decades, science of this particular branch have sought time and again how to create the perfect armor just like the powered suits featured in science fiction films and video games like Iron Man, Metal Gear, Starcraft, Warhammer 40,000 and GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra. The current technology we have today is gearing towards that possibility.
For now, exoskeleton suits are still on its prototype stage. However, it has already achieved a revolutionary triumph even at its early phase. The LIFESUIT, first designed in 1986, has been a great success after 15 years of completed research. The LS1 was built in 2001. In 2003, LS6 was able to record and play back a human walking pace. In 2005, LS12 was worn in a track and field competition called the Saint Patrick's Day Dash in Seattle Washington. LS12 completed a 3-mile race in 90 minutes. And the latest exoskeleton suit of its kind, the prototype LS 14, is capable of walking in one mile in full dash and while easily lifting 92 kg of weight.
