Comments on: Serious Science: mechanized super soldiers

By: Aaron

Aaron — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:36:26 +0000

I only watched the videos but I’ve been severely intrigued by these technologies for a very long time. From the current exoskeleton it seems to need a lot of work. Should be tested in the rigors of battle to see how well it stands against the many strains that cant be experienced lifting weights and walking around.

These rigors will test the joints and the ability to take pressures at many angles as well as test the suits ability to sustain itself over time in such hazardous environment. The power source is also an important endeavor. It needs to be almost completely self sufficient and last at least a few weeks worth if not indefinite depending on available technology. For proper battle it needs to be able to keep running.

We have some pretty amazing armor for tanks but I believe we have the tech to make it way better; something stronger and lighter. Should be easy to move in and allow for the average soldier to be able to fight a lot of men with the average military guns while the soldier would go unarmed and fight them bare (robot) handed and manage to come out victorious.

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:46:21 +0000

We all would love to see these kind of developments but the truth is what kinda suit can fly while weighing down the user at least 100 pounds? Its still far off, but in time, with the advancing technology, I wouldn’t be surprised to see one of these things in military development.

By: Noel

Noel — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:35:30 +0000

The increasing speed at which technology is advancing seems breathtaking! I love the fact that our science is leading us into the direction where we can send robots into danger, rather than our precious loved ones. I would like to think that we will use this type of technology in danger cases that are peace-time related rather than war-time, but pragmatism dictates that we all realize that these WILL be war-time machines. The scary thing is the thought that the “enemy” will have robots fighting US, and I can only pray that our robots are bigger, better, faster, stronger than theirs will be!

By: Pebbles

Pebbles — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:32:08 +0000

This article was informative and scary. Although I like the idea of “our side” having robot soldiers, the thought of “their side” having them terrifies me! I think it is wonderful that technology is advancing to this point, I just wish we would direct the technology towards more peaceful ends.

By: Chris Woodley

Chris Woodley — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:49:34 +0000

I think you did a good job in filtering out the info. I’ll have to point people to this post the next time someone calls me crazy for talking about robot warriors…

By: Wayne Smallman

Wayne Smallman — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:32:22 +0000

Chris, you’re a man after my own heart!

I’ve read most of things in the past / recently, or things similar.

There were a ton of things I had to cut loose from this article to keep it under thesis length!

Thanks for the additional reads…

By: Chris Woodley

Chris Woodley — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:42:57 +0000

Really interesting article and as your examples show, they are not as far off as most people seem to think. A recent document by the Ministry of Defence talks about brain chips and flashmobs and DARPA has been researching super soldiers for decades now. Stalin tried to make his own "super monkey soldiers" as well. Mind control technology isn’t too far away from being used on commercial and web applications either. There are already basic mind control technologies for Second Life and search.