Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC)

The product that is HULC today has been in development since 2005 when University of California-Berkeley Robotics and Human Engineering Lab members formed a company called Berkely Exoworks (later changed to Berkeley Bionics) developed their original exoskeleton designed to allow humans movement over long distances carrying excessive loads. Called the Exohiker, this original design was later improved to allow for more versatile movement through rugged terrain. This improved design was called the ExoClimber. The third generation design, HULC, was developed in 2008. Exclusive licensing was then sold to Lockheed Martin Corporation a year later in 2009. The latest development has been improving the existing design to make it more rugged and field ready. HULC is currently going through field testing with military personnel. The purpose of HULC is to "allow users to carry loads of up to 200lbs for extended periods of time over variable terrain". It accomplishes this by providing a frame on the user's back that connects to titanium rods on the outer leg of the user. These rods are equipped with a hydraulic system to support and assist natural leg movement. The genius of the design comes from removing the load from a user's back and transferring it to the ground. The minimalist design of the exoskeleton allows for a full range of movement in both the lower and upper body including the ability to perform deep squats and crawl. The construction is primarily titanium. The current HULC model weighs in at 53 pounds without a power source, but most of that weight is bore by the frame and transferred to the ground. Other advantages of this design is that the "suit" can be removed and replaced in seconds with no assistance, is fully adjustable for users ranging from 5'4" to 6'2", can fold down to a small size for transport, broken parts can quickly be replaced in the field, and has limitless possibilities for attachments. HULC can allow a user to job at a steady pace of 7 mph while bursting up to 10 mph with up to it's 200 pound payload. Another cool feature is that, even without power, HULC decreases fatigue of the user by supporting whatever load he or she is holding on their back. The brain of the HULC system, a tiny microcomputer approximately the size of a television remote control, works by sensing the user's movements and calculating, using a complex set of variable skeletal movements, what movement the user is trying to perform. The hydraulic system supports the natural movement of the user, thereby reducing fatigue. There are serious advantages to not relying on reading the electric impulses of muscle contraction like many other exoskeleton or bionic technologies utilize. It eliminates the many biological variables that may vary from user to user concerning strength and frequency of muscle contraction. The user is also able to make adjustments to the settings of HULC spontaneously as they see fit via this microcomputer. The limitations of any device such as this remain consistent; Power source longevity an durability in very rugged and demanding situations. HULC developers are working on a battery that could operate their device for 72 hours continuously. As for durability, the basic design for HULC limits potential component malfunctions and, by design, parts can be switched quickly in the field to restore the capabilities of the device. Because it is already in some of the final field testing, I think we will be seeing HULC in use by foot soldiers in the very near future depending on cost. Beyond that, Berkeley Bionics is already developing a new product called eLegs using much of the technology developed through HULC in an effort to restore paraplegics freedom to walk. Lockheed Martin Corporations promotional video is available here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ_qR8zCLDc Video of Berkeley Bionics CEO presenting on HULC and eLegs http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/eythor_bender_demos_human_exoskeletons.html