Furrion shows what its 15ft 'Prosthesis' exoskeleton is capable of

in #technology6 years ago

A terrifying 15ft-tall exoskeleton called 'Prosthesis' that runs faster than 20mph, in almost complete silence, is set to compete in a mechanical 'Racing League'

►Prosthesis is an 'exo-bionic racing robot' that is controlled by a human pilot sitting inside it

►The human sits at the centre of the machine, and moves their arms to control it

►According to the creators, it can hit speeds of roughly 20 miles per hour (32kmh)

►Creators have announced a 'X1 Mech Racing League' where mechanical exoskeletons go head-to-head

A 15-foot tall racing exoskeleton that could soon be tearing across the Nevada desert has been presented at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at Las Vegas this year.

Creators say their creation 'Prosthesis' can hit a top speed of roughly 20 miles per hour (32kmh) – and despite its imposing size it is nearly silent when it moves.

They now want to create a 'X1 Mech Racing League' where mechanical exoskeletons go head-to-head.

The 8,000lb (3,600kg) 'anti-robot' is controlled by a human pilot who stands at the centre of the mechanical exoskeleton, using arm movements to drive it forward at terrifying speeds.

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A 15-foot tall racing exoskeleton that could soon be tearing across the Nevada desert has been presented at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at Las Vegas this year

Exhibitors from Elkhart-based firm Furrion who created the massive Prosthesis bot first revealed it at CES in 2017.

The impressive machine was invented by engineer Jonathan Tippett, starting with the much smaller Alpha Leg bionic arm that eventually led to the creation of the enormous robot.

The human-controlled Prosthesis bot, relies on electro-hydraulics with direct haptic feedback to generate motion.

And, it's designed to go head to head with other robots in giant 'mech' races - although creators did not give details about when these might begin.

The human pilot uses arm movements to drive the robot's legs, slipping their own limbs into the robotic exoskeleton at the centre of the machine.

'Someone sits inside of it, and they can move it with their body,' exhibitor Kristin Howard told Dailymail.com said at the 2017 show.

'It acts as kind of a suit, more than even a robot.

'It's very silent - When it walks, you don't really hear it.'

Prosthesis can step over obstacles and run for up to an hour on a battery charge.

47EFCAF700000578-0-image-a-6_1515511625794.jpg
Creators say their creation 'Prosthesis' can hit a top speed of roughly 20 miles per hour (32kmh) – and despite its imposing size it is nearly silent when it moves. They now want to create a 'X1 Mech Racing League' where mechanical exoskeletons go head-to-head

47EFCA9900000578-0-image-a-9_1515511701663.jpg
The 8,000lb 'anti-robot' is controlled by a human pilot who stands at the centre of the mechanical exoskeleton, using arm movements to drive it forward at terrifying speeds

3BE049F900000578-4092554-Exhibitors_revealed_the_massive_Prosthesis_bot_at_CES_2017_in_La-a-13_1483649096925.jpg
Exhibitors revealed the massive Prosthesis bot at CES 2017 in Las Vegas, and they say it can hit a top speed of roughly 20 miles per hour – and despite its imposing size, it's nearly silent when it moves

3BE04A7700000578-4092554-_Someone_sits_inside_of_it_and_they_can_move_it_with_their_body_-a-9_1483649780886.jpg
'Someone sits inside of it, and they can move it with their body,' exhibitor Kristin Howard told Dailymail.com. 'It acts as kind of a suit, more than even a robot'

It is 5 meters wide (16ft), and weighs a staggering 3500 kilograms (7,716lb).

The robot achieves fifty centimetres of suspension movement, thanks to custom engineered air and coil over shocks, according to the creators.

This allows it to tackle rough terrain and complex tasks – like racing other machines.

'This robot races with other robots,' exhibitor Kristin Howard told Dailymail.com.

3BE04A9300000578-4092554-It_s_4_2_meters_tall_13_8ft_and_5_meters_wide_16ft_and_weighs_a_-a-14_1483649097705.jpg
It's 4.2 meters tall (13.8ft) and 5 meters wide (16ft), and weighs a staggering 3500 kilograms (7,716lb). The robot achieves fifty centimeters of suspension movement, thanks to custom engineered air and coil over shocks, according to the creators

Essentially, it's a massive sports machine. While it isn't available for sale as of now, it could eventually even be used in racing leagues.

'Imagine a stadium with obstacles, challenges and head to head competition, not with cars or trucks, but with giant, human piloted mechs,' the Prosthesis site explains.

'The ultimate union of pilot and machine, pushing the limits of technology, and human performance.

'This is the sport of the future. This is the exo-bionic racing league.'

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