Robotic exosuit could help astronauts move more freely in space
Bristol researchers have created a fabric-based robotic exosuit that is designed to help astronauts move more freely and reduce fatigue during future Moon and Mars missions.
The suit uses artificial muscles that kick in automatically, giving gentle support without getting in the way.
It was tested for the first time underneath an analog spacesuit during the ADAMA mission in Australia this October.
The suit was tested underneath an analog spacesuit
The ADAMA mission brought together 200 scientists from 25 countries to run space experiments across four continents, all coordinated from Austria.
Over two weeks, analog astronauts tackled tasks like walking and climbing on rough ground while researchers measured how comfortable and mobile they felt.
The team is now working on an upgraded version
Unlike old-school, bulky exoskeletons, Bristol's soft suit is light, flexible, and blends right into a spacesuit using air-powered artificial muscles.
The team is now working on an upgraded version that could help both astronauts and people needing mobility support back on Earth.