The path towards creating robotic exoskeletons has been pursued by many; from academic groups to the US Military. After at least a few years now, the project is now in the hands of Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering. Located in South Korea, the group has been experimenting with an innovative robotic exoskeleton, a.k.a. exosuit, and is currently way ahead of the rest of the world in the automation of their manufacturing process. Their success has yielded a suit that propels its laborers into superhuman levels of productivity. Think Iron Man-level of lifting objects.

Almost straight out of a sci-fi or super hero movie, the suit gives the shipyard workers the ability to lift more than they normally can. Rather than lifting a 66 pound object with strain, it feels like a bag of feathers. Daewoo is currently working towards final designs, where the device would allow workers to carry 220 pounds of metal across dockyards. We already have advanced machinery, such as cranes and forklifts, that allow humans to carry extremely heavy objects. The point of a human wearing this powerful suit is for increased dexterity.

After a successful pilot program last year, Daewoo may soon be ready for regular use. The suit, which straps the worker's feet into anchored boots, weighs 60 pounds, and is comprised of carbon, steel, and aluminum alloy. It's powered by hydraulics, so stress is handled by the frame, and the worker feels no extra weight. Additionally, the exosuit is designed for handling heavy machinery accurately and consistently. This means when the worker's body tires, the exosuit accounts for lessened accuracy and strength. This keeps the worker concentrating on his or her finite movements, while the robot provides support.

A few systematic bugs get in the way of the robotic exoskeleton being ready for prime time. The unit can only run for three hours on a single charge, which isn't enough time to cover one shift. The footpads don't handle slippery floors very well, and the rigs reportedly can't accommodate twisting motions like human bodies can. The tech is still in the right direction, however. Shipbuilders are not only employing more and more augmented manufacturing and automation robots, but other industries, such as construction and emergency recovery services, could benefit from the suits. What was once a strictly sci-fi technology could soon take shipbuilding production to the next level. First, let's wait for the kinks to be worked out.