In order to make the exoskeleton machine work, five factors must be considered comprehensively: structure, energy, control, drive and biomechanics. Each factor has its own challenges. Here are some of the challenges outlined by DARPA:
1. Construction material: The exoskeleton must be made of tough, light and elastic composite materials. The material itself must also be able to resist enemy fire to protect the wearer.
2. Energy source: These limitations mainly come from energy-the energy devices used now are really a bit unable to support the energy consumption of the power exoskeleton. Before supplying energy, the exoskeleton must have enough energy for 24 hours. In addition, the device for generating energy must be easy to carry on the body. Creating a noise-free machine may be the most difficult task for exoskeleton developers.
3. Control: The control of the machine must be seamless. Users must be able to move normally after wearing the device.
4. Drive: The designer must make the machine move smoothly so that the wearer will not be too clumsy. Like an engine, an actuator must be quiet and efficient.
5. Biomechanics: The exoskeleton must be able to move left and right, back and forth, just like people marching on the battlefield. If it doesn't have this ability, soldiers wearing this kind of clothes may be in extremely dangerous situation. The structure designed by developers must have flexible joints like the human body.
The military exoskeleton will be one of the most complicated machines developed by human beings, and it can also promote the development of robots and make them more like human beings. Exoskeleton must be able to perceive and respond to human activities. They must also be able to convert energy from the energy source into usable driving energy to help the wearer carry out activities. The challenges faced by developers are enormous. In order to develop this kind of exoskeleton, new equipment and inventions will continue to emerge.