Berkeley Bionics™ Human Exoskeleton

Berkeley Bionics™, formerly Berkeley ExoWorks, designs and manufactures lower extremity exoskeletons to augment human strength and endurance during locomotion. The exoskeleton is comprised of two powered anthropomorphic legs, a power unit, small on-board microcomputer, and a backpack-like frame on which a variety of heavy loads can be mounted.

This system provides its pilot (i.e. its wearer) with the ability to carry significant loads (up to 150 pounds) on his/her back with minimal effort over any type of terrain for extended periods of time without reducing his/her agility. The pilot's physical effectiveness increases significantly since he/she does not feel the backpack weight.

There is no joystick, pushbutton, or keyboard to “drive” the exoskeleton; the pilot becomes an integral part of the exoskeleton while walking. An on-board micro-computer ensures that the exoskeleton moves in concert with the pilot with minimal interaction force between the two.