Indian Military Procures Self-Powered Exoskeletons From Local Firm
An Indian firm has delivered two types of exoskeleton, the JaipurBelt and the ArmMax, to the Indian military.
The Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, and the National Disaster Response Force have received the technology from Newndra Innovations, Janes revealed.
The exoskeletons “help to increase the productivity and endurance of soldiers while also reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries,” the outlet quoted Rajasthan-based Newndra’s CEO Ganesh Ram Jangir as saying.
“[The] JaipurBelt provides support to a soldier’s back and spine while [the] ArmMax can support [the] back, spine, and arms.”
According to the outlet, the wearables enhance a soldier’s weight lifting capacity by 5 to 35 kilograms (11 to 77 pounds), enabling tasks such as ammunition loading and unloading and weight carrying for long distances.
Doesn’t Require External Power
The 1.8-pound (4-kilogram) defense gear is self-powered with a shelf-life of three to five years.
“We have developed a hinge mechanism, which consists of hydraulics and springs that conserve the gravitational potential energy when somebody bends down,” Jangir added.
“This mechanism is applicable to [the] arms, knees, and back, and the energy conserved is used to support the user when the user is carrying anything heavy or doing strenuous activities.”
The Indian armed forces require such performance enhancers to facilitate soldier movement in difficult terrain, particularly in mountains, protecting them from injury and extreme weather conditions.
