In this video, Raytheon is showing off its new model prototype exoskeleton, the XOS 2. The exoskeleton allows the user to perform amazing feats, including lifting heavy objects repeatedly, punching through solid wood planks, and many other physically demanding tasks. The user gains strength and endurance far beyond their normal limits, and could definitely be considered a superhero, or at least superhuman. A user could also be called a cyborg, as they are more or less using the mechanical exoskeleton as a robotic extension of their own bodies. One of the most interesting facets of technology such as this is the multitude of applications in the real world. In addition to the planned military uses for the models made by Raytheon (they are a military contractor), similar exoskeletons are being developed by multiple companies for uses such as helping those with mobility disorders to walk. We may see technology like this become widespread in our lifetimes.
Users of XOS2 are as powerful as heroes in action movies. They gain the same as or even more power than Arnold in Terminator Series. A combination of human and machine will be a kind of trend in the future.That would even be a fashion in the future when this technology is as popular and cheap as cell phones or vacuum cleaners. The video shows some contrast between a person with XOS2 and a person without it and implied the power of this new technology.
ReplyDeleteLike many technologies such as Internet, the exoskeleton would first be used in military filed and the widely used in the public and industry field. I like this. I really hope to buy one in the future to help me to move house as it is really tough to move my friends' heavy sofa with my thin arms.
Clearly, technology has advanced drastically since we have been born. Because science has came this far, technology like the XOS2, can be considered as a cyborg.
ReplyDeleteBeing a human with the accessibility of a machine. The strength that his very powerful. But is technology like the XOS2 reliable?
If used in the military, is the XOS2 safe for soldiers to use? Just because the XOS2 can lift heavy objects and break wood planks does not make it safe. I am sure we will see technology like the XOS2 soon.
I do not think that the XOS2 is safe. More countries will suspect the United States are up to something because we are building such a weapon that other countries will produce other weapons and again, the United States will run into an arms race. Oh well, I am glad he is making a lot of money on success that could possibly be our demise because we rely solely on technology.
I think the XOS 2 exoskeleton embodies a cyborg, and the person wearing it shape shifts into a super hero. This is amazing and I didn't think we were anywhere close to this technology. I think we're still far away from the full desired effect (ideal being the Iron Man suit). This is inspiring though and I can't wait to see more on the advancement of robotics technology.
ReplyDeleteLike Susan though, I worry if it is 100% safe. It seems like in the advancement of the next XOS exoskeleton they could try things that could end disastrously.
And on an entirely unrelated note, I'm in love with the fact that this group posted something related to Iron Man! :)
This suit embodies the cyborg category because it is a machine that allows humans to dramatically increase their strength with little to no effort. It also fits the superhero category because it gives the user superhuman strength. I am excited about technology such as this. Although we are still pretty far away from having this suit be a weapon that our soldiers can use on the battlefield, this is a great first step. Once we do have suits like this, we will have an edge over the other countries of the world. This suit will allow us to retake our position as the superior military of the world, much like we were when we were the only country with nuclear bomb technology. This will help to prevent wars, and in the event of one lessen our casualties. I do not share the skepticism of Susan and Mallory for these reasons. This technology sounds like an incredible advancement and opportunity to me.
ReplyDeleteThis is the exact kind of stuff that has inspired me to work towards a bioengineering profession. Through the use of mechanics, we're able to push our biological limits and perform superhuman feats - things that we never would have dreamed of doing some years back. I applaud Raytheon for their newest invention. However, as the old cliché stands, with great power comes great responsibility. The power bestowed upon the user of this technology would allow him/her to create an equal amount of destruction as they would peace. It is crucial that it does not fall into the wrong hands.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Raytheon: continue to work your magic but do so with care!
I think that Mallory said it best. It will be interesting to see where technology like this goes. If used by the common man (or woman) it could become a useful tool to use around the home. Like Ed said, however, with this sort of power does indeed come great responsibility. The drawback to common people using this is that there is the chance that it can be used to harm others.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I am really a technology idiot, although I am majoring Electrical Engineering, I was amazed of the comments of other students had made. This amazing technology is dangerous I think. What if some evil person steal it and use it to kill some person. I remember somewhere somebody mentioned that it has the military use. That remind of the cold war between the United States and the soviet union. Maybe I thought too much. Anyway, the scientists in the United States are always creative, it is always hard for other countries to catch up.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Mallory and Morgan said about the XOS embodying the cyborg and superhero.
ReplyDeleteIn response to others' misgivings, we are still very far away from being able to use a suit like this in a fight. In the video, the designer said that the two nascent uses would be logistics (lifting crates, loading and unloading vehicles) and carrying personal equipment cross-country. Right now, the suit is useless for anything else. Too much space for bullets to get in.
I wound agree with people above. The XOS embodying the Cyborg and Superhero.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great way for troopers to be able to take bigger and better weapons, more ammo, and more protection with them onto the battlefield. It could reduce their dependence on vehicles, allowing the legs to get into a place faster, with more surprise than before. Alex's thinking is thoughtful, currently, this technology is still stay at the level of prototype. The practical usage may be limited in lifting and loading bombs for battle crafts.
This technology is really wonderful to see. I would have never thought technology like this existed until now! It's amazing to see other people's imaginations and thoughts come to life. However, as far as an ironman suit, we still have a lot of time ahead of us.
ReplyDeleteThis XOS embodies a cyborg as it is enabling a human to have extraterrestrial powers. Those powers also allow the cyborg to be a superhero if handled properly. If it falls in the wrong hands, it could be the opposite of a superhero; if its a woman, maybe it could be a femme fetal? All of these choices enable the XOS to shapeshift into who ever it wants to be. In the end, it could be any one of the rhetorics we have covered in class.
The statement that the engineer makes about the XOS, "I don't feel the strength but I know I can pick up more," is dangerous. This statement also adds to what i mentioned before about how hectic it could be. Maybe the only thing that makes us humane and responsible is knowing our limits. If we don't know our limits and think we are the most powerful, then we would just destroy ourselves completely.
Agreeing with everyone else, I believe the user of the XOS would be considered both superhero and cyborg. The user would be literally a cyborg because of the robotic attachment to his or her body. The ability to be able to lift and break things the average human cannot would also make the user a superhero with super strength as his or her power. Technology like this raises the bar and extends the limits. Possibilities are becoming endless and the impossible is becoming possible.
ReplyDeleteThis technique is really amazing. The XOS2 exoskeleton makes human a cyborg. Even though it’s still a lot to be improved, this one had already been impressive. It provides human being extra power to make things easier. I agree that it would be used as a weapon and should be considered carefully because, as Ed said, great power comes with great responsibility. For me, this exoskeleton now is just like cars a century ago. No doubt that machines like this will be widely used in the future and weapons using similar methods would appears like tank to car. I’m really interested in the process of developing this technique. Good luck Raytheon in your excellent invention.
ReplyDeleteThe XOS2 allows the human using it to exemplify traits of a cyborg and to a lesser extent, a superhero. This technology is also just scratching the surface of the potential of exoskeleton suits like this; eventually we might see protective armor, weapons, and more.
ReplyDeleteI think it has fewer peaceful applications though, the only obvious one is as a prosthesis for paraplegics or amputees. The only real uses for the evolutions of these exoskeletons seem to be for war/combat, which makes them interesting but not all that positive.
overall this seems pretty cool especially for a piece of equipment used for stuff like heavy machinery or whatnot. However Im not so sure about the actual practical uses for anybody in everyday life, disabled or not. I mean the thing is pretty bulky, and it really doesnt matter much if you can walk if the thing cant fit through a regularly sized door. Thats just my thought though, and if they were able to somehow slim it down, but make it so that it keeps the same functionality, then yeah it could definitely bring you one level closer to becoming a "cyborg". Let alone being able to control your own personal "iron man" suit.
ReplyDeleteI am also agreeing with everyone else on the combination of being both a cyborg and superhero with the XOS 2. I agree with Alex that the suit as of right now would have minimal use in any situation other than lifting heavy objects. I am very impressed on the advancements that have been achieved between the first model and the second one. Hopefully Raytheon can eventually advance this technology to be able to greatly help our soldiers at war.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the XOS2 exoskeleton makes human a cyborg but not a super hero. This technology, like what they said in the video, is only the first step of the suit or armor in the movie 'ion man'. It can only help people lift more weight. Crane also can do that, but no one call crane a super hero. To be honest, I really feel inappropriate to develop this technology. No one needs that in normal life except sodiers. We can use crane, trolley, and several kinds of machine to help us lift or destroy something. No one like to move a box by wearing this suit on. Only in the war, while we need super sodiers, this armor can be used. This is a weapon for killing people. If they get deeper in this technology, they will put guns or gamma rays on the suit, just like an 'ion man'. It will be a desaster. Hope they can stop now, and pay more attention on other machines that can make normal people's lives better.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with the classifications of cyborg and superhero. I saw this as a superhero for the obvious reason that it allows the user to complete tasks far beyond the human's capability. I also see it as cyborg because it is the use of technology to enhance the ability of the human. This reminds me somewhat of the movie Surrogates. And I think this connection shows that while the creation of this suit can be wildly beneficial, if not done properly, the situation can become far worse than hoped and expected.
ReplyDeletei don't think i need to repeat what everyone is saying, but in going to anyway. this is straight up cyborg. there is no question about it. my only concern is i'm wondering what they are going to use it for. i heard the person in the video talking about how it would help lighten the load for soldiers, but there has got to be a better more practical use for this device. being able to lift boxes and lighten the loads of backpacks doesn't seem like the best way to use these suits at their full capability.
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