This exoskeleton could help teach soldiers how to shoot guns

Robotic exoskeletons have been a science fiction theme and an engineering feat since the 1960s. Practical design techniques, which allow a fictional character to be stronger, more powerful or more functional intrigues engineers toward simplicity in futuristic innovation. At the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, or ARL, Dan Baechle, a mechanical engineer, is testing MAXFAS, a mechatronic arm exoskeleton, which is designed so that it could be used to train new Soldiers to reach shooting proficiency faster. Baechle has had a childhood fascination with robotics and exoskeletons since he first saw Caterpillar’s Power Loader full-body exoskeleton from the film “Aliens.” The near-future vision for the developmental test system is that it would be a training device to help new recruits with novice marksmanship skills and generally help increase combat arms shooting performance on the battlefield. “Soldiers need to be able to aim and shoot accurately and quickly in the chaos of the battlefield,” Baechle said. “Training with MAXFAS could improve Soldiers’ accuracy, and reduce current time and ammunition requirements in basic training.”