China State Corporation Norinco is known for making ammunition and military equipment. However, in fact, the range of its activities is much wider. It includes production:
- uniforms;
- explosives;
- technical equipment;
- trucks and cars;
- motorcycles;
- optical electronics.
Now this list is replenished with new item. Norinco engineers have completed the development of a prototype of an innovative exoskeleton, thanks to which a person will be able to carry loads weighing up to 45 kg, climb mountains, destroy obstacles.
A few years ago, the company announced the release of the first version of the prototype, but that model had significant problems with batteries and hydraulics. In the new product, these shortcomings are eliminated, and in addition, the design has become much more convenient and easier to use. The pneumatic actuators are thoroughly modified, and the frame is optimized for use in almost any terrain. With it, a person will have to make only 1/5 part of the effort in order to lift the load or climb himself.
Due to the fact that the weight of the device has decreased, the batteries began to be spent more economically. Consequently, the exoskeleton is able to work over a longer period of time, which is important for the military in conditions of increased activity. After all, the development is done precisely at the request of military structures, although at first this fact was concealed. By the way, the previous model of the exoskeleton made it possible to walk ten kilometers in it at a speed of about 4 km / h.
However, exoskeletons may well be used in peacetime. This is a great help for people with disabilities. There are other applications, for example, in warehouses or in workshops for carrying goods, thanks to which the assemblers and porters will get easier working conditions.
Competition
It is noteworthy that Norinco is not the only Chinese company engaged in such equipment. Thus, a similar device was recently presented to the public by engineers from the Chinese Shipbuilding Corporation. When shipbuilding and working with ships in shipyards, it is often necessary to move heavy things from place to place.
In addition, EEAE also represented an exoskeleton with coefficients of 1 to 5, like the invention of Norinco. At that time there were rumors in the press that the device would soon go into mass production. However, this did not happen, and it is quite possible, precisely because the Chinese government has a wider choice.
The indicators, which are issued by the exoskeleton from Norinco, are as close as possible to the American development of the company Lockheed Martin. But the Chinese are clearly lagging behind the Japanese devices. The Japanese have long experienced exoskeletons in civilian needs (for example, medicine). China is more focused on military developments.
