The physical exertion of combat is difficult to quantify, but any help is appreciated. Several frontline units in Ukraine have been testing a “Gyurza-1” passive exoskeleton design to help reduce strain during demanding physical activity. United24 reports.
Ukraine has proven time and time again during its fight against invading Russian forces that necessity is the mother of invention. Cheap drones that combat Iranian Shahed drones both in occupied Ukrainian territory and in the Middle East are a clear example, but low-cost, passive exoskeletons may be another.
The Ukrainian army is a wartime army, which means that its forces are not composed solely of young, healthy volunteers. It also has older and less skilled people playing important roles in logistics and frontline operations. Exoskeletons can help make them much more capable at these tasks.
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The exoskeleton is not They require power, complex batteries or servos.; It is a sturdy frame that allows the connection of various equipment and supplies for easy transportation. This gives developers and field users an advantage as the exoskeleton does not require recharging, as well as having reduced mechanical complexity for ease of use and making it less likely that the device could cause an injury requiring medical assistance.
The design is still considered in the prototype phase, but early tests have proven positive, and feedback is now leading to refinement of the design before mass production.
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“Our soldiers carry out logistical and combat tasks, many of which involve lifting and carrying various loads. This requires, at a minimum, strong physical fitness. However, due to their health and age, a significant number of our personnel do not meet the extreme demands of war. Exoskeletons help them withstand enormous stresses,” project leader Nazar Yasinskyi told United24.
defense express reported at the end of March that Ukraine was also testing a motorized version of this exoskeleton that has a range of 20 kilometers and can reduce troop load by up to 30%. This has been used particularly in artillery units, where ammunition loaders are often required to carry shells that can weigh more than 120 pounds each. With each loader carrying more than 30 of these projectiles a day, the physical strain can be very real and quickly lead to a deterioration in performance.
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Jon Martindale
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Jon Martindale is a UK technology journalist with 20 years’ experience covering all types of PC components and associated devices. He has written for various publications, including ExtremeTech, Digital Trends, Forbes, US News & World Report, and Lifewire, among others. When not writing, he is an avid board gamer and reader, with a particular habit of speed reading long manga sagas.
Jon covers the latest PC components, as well as how-to guides on everything from how to take a screenshot to how to set up your cryptocurrency wallet. He especially enjoys the battles between the major tech giants in CPUs and GPUs, and tries his best not to take sides.
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