DARPA developing ‘smart suit’ to improve soldiers’ endurance

The novel wearable system would potentially delay the onset of fatigue, enabling soldiers to walk longer distances and also improve the body's resistance to injuries when carrying heavy loads. Lightweight, efficient and non-restrictive, the proposed suit will be made from soft wearable assistive devices that integrate several novel Wyss technologies. One is a stretchable sensor that would monitor the body's biomechanics without the need for the typical rigid components that often interfere with motion. The system could potentially detect the onset of fatigue. Additionally, one of the technologies in the suit may help the wearer maintain balance by providing low-level mechanical vibrations that boost the body's sensory functions. The new smart suit will be designed to overcome several of the problems typically associated with current wearable systems, including their large power requirements and rigid overall structures, which restrict normal movement and can be uncomfortable. Although the DARPA project is focused on assisting and protecting soldiers in the field, the researchers believe the technologies being developed could help increase endurance in the elderly and improve mobility for people with physical disabilities.