We first talked about this homemade exoskeleton back in September 2014, when The Hacksmith was able to lift nearly 80 kilograms with just half an exoskeleton. That proof of concept worked so well that he began working on the lower half, and yesterday he published his first public demonstration. How strong is the new design? Let's just say it can lift the rear of a modern Mini Cooper without much effort.
Beyond Military and Industry
The applications of an exoskeleton go far beyond the military or heavy industry. We've often imagined it as the ideal device to eradicate the wheelchair and partially restore something that, for now, is out of reach of medicine. It's only a matter of time before we get there, but meanwhile, we need to explore other ideas. One of them is the homemade exoskeleton. Is it possible for someone to develop such a complete system in their garage? The Hacksmith actually used his garden to create half an exoskeleton and lift a weight close to 80 kilograms. This prototype was even presented on television, with live demos to eliminate any suspicion of cheating.
The Mini Cooper Test
A little over a year later, The Hacksmith is back, this time with the lower half. Without any pneumatic assistance, the legs support 220 kilograms, but the design is modular, allowing pneumatic cylinders to be added when the user deems necessary. With a pressure of 125 PSI, each of those cylinders can lift 362 kilograms, which inevitably brings us to the Mini Cooper test. According to the video, a Mini Cooper weighs around 1,145 kilograms. The theoretical maximum of the exoskeleton is below that (907 kilograms without tests), but even under the watchful eye of German TV, The Hacksmith successfully lifted the rear of the Mini Cooper.
What's Next?
The next steps include designing the upper part, optimizing the lower exoskeleton, and increasing its flexibility. Needless to say, any further improvements must make the exoskeleton safer. The first time, his arms were assisted, but all the weight was on his legs. This time, the exoskeleton successfully lifted a car, although it looks too exposed. We definitely want to see more about the prototype, but at the end of the day, an exoskeleton must protect the user, not injure them.
