Bionic Tech Increases First Responders’ Mobility

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Exoskeleton technologies are fulfilling new roles in the military, industrial, commercial and first-responder applications. Lockheed Martin has licensed the bionic augmentation technology Dermoskeleton from B-Temia, Inc.

Dermoskeleton is the basis for computer-controlled devices that can increase mobility and load-carrying capacity by counteracting overstress on the lower back and legs, according to defenseworld.net.

The FORTIS exoskeleton is an unpowered, lightweight exoskeleton that increases an operator’s strength and endurance by transferring the weight of heavy loads from the operator’s body directly to the ground through a series of joints at the hips, knees and ankles.

“This technology offers a pathway to increased loadbearing and greater agility for our FORTIS industrial exoskeleton,” said Glenn Kuller, Advanced and Special Programs vice president at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “It can also help to solve existing limitations of powered exoskeletons for our military and first responders.”

“This agreement confirms our company’s technology leadership and value of our work in increasing human mobility in both industrial and defense applications,” said B-Temia President and CEO Stéphane Bédard. “Our arrangement with Lockheed Martin provides another avenue for our bionic technology to enhance human performance.”

According to Lockheed’s website, the Exoskeleton technologies can bring new capabilities to fighting forces and improve endurance and safety in industrial settings. The company focuses primarily on unpowered exoskeletons for industrial use, such as lightweight suits designed to increase in industrial productivity and prevent common workplace injuries. Military applications are focused on soldier load carriage and sustainment applications.