No, this isn’t an advanced military mobile suit just like you see in the Gundam series and certainly not Tony Stark’s Iron Man. This is an exoskeleton that can give its wearer some super-human strength while reducing the risk of injuries during heavy lifting. The Guardian XO full-body exoskeleton offers such promise that even the United States Marine Corps has contracted Sarcos Defense to make some for them to test.
Sarcos Defense’s Guardian XO is a full-body battery-powered industrial exoskeleton that is designed to augment its operator’s strength without any restriction to the operator’s freedom of movement – thereby boosting productivity while reducing risks of injuries. The Guardian XO allows its operator to safely lift up to 200 lbs (90 kilograms) without experiencing fatigue or strain.
With the Guardian XO, the U.S. Marines can boost the capabilities of its logistics personnel while improving safety and productivity. With one person doing the work of several, the manpower needed for its logistics operations can be reduced significantly. To test this powered suit, the U.S. Marine Corps Logistics Innovation Office program has awarded a contract to Sarcos Defense for the delivery of an Alpha version of the Guardian XO by the end of 2020.
The U.S. military isn’t just about guns, big cannons, supersonic aircraft and carriers; it is also about moving people and objects to where they should be at the right time and place. Yes, in terms of logistics and support operations, the U.S. military is easily one of the largest as well as the most complex in the world.
