Difference between revisions of "Exoskeleton"

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"From the dawn of history mankind has used machines to accomplish tasks that are beyond human strength and endurance. However, these forklifts, cranes, and other machinery were bulky and
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== Description ==
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unwieldy. The development of the '''exoskeleton''' came from the need for equipment that could maneuver as easily as a human.
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'''Exoskeletons''' are specialized mechanical suits, weighing between 80 to 400 kilograms, that increase the strength, speed and other attributes of the wearer. Often used for industrial applications, Exoskeletons may also be utilized for warfighting, where they are commonly known as [[Power Armor (Light)]] or PA(L).<ref name="TMp160+">''TechManual'', pp. 160-161, "Battle Armor Basics"</ref>
  
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"Primitive exoskeletons used hydraulics, but these high-maintenance systems were both slow and clumsy. Exoskeleton construction was revolutionized at the end of the twenty-fourth century by the introduction of [[myomer]] technology. It had taken decades to shrink [[Industrial Mech]] technology down to the point where it could be mounted on a human-sized chassis, but the result sparked an explosion in the adoption of exoskeletons in the civilian sector. The first [[Star League]] continued to develop exoskeleton technology, refining the control systems that directed the myomer musculature. Using various sensors to detect the motion of the user, the on-board computer then translated these into signals that controlled the exoskeleton’s movements. As the technological hurdles were cleared, exoskeletons
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The first exoskeletons were extremely primitive machines, slow and clumsy and limited to hydraulics for motion. However, the invention of [[Myomer]] in the [[twenty-fourth century]] provided a means of making exoskeletons more efficient.  Research efforts by the [[Star League]] resulted in a number of technological advances, such as control systems that were more responsive to the user, which soon allowed exoskeletons to explode onto the civilian market. Exoskeletons found a myriad of uses, from construction and mining to search and rescue and firefighting.<ref name="TRO:VARp180">''Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised'', p. 180, "Exoskeletons"</ref>
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progressed from the more prosaic roles of cargo handling, construction, and mining. Search and rescue, combat engineering, firefighting—the possibilities appeared almost endless.
 
  
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"As ever, the military were quick to see potential in exoskeletons, and they have served in a support role since their introduction. But it would take the technological wizardry of the [[Terran Hegemony]] to develop the first true combat exoskeleton. The existence of the [[Nighthawk]] remained one of the [[SLDF]]’s most closely guarded secrets and the [[Inner Sphere]] remained ignorant of the technology. Faced with the harsh conditions of the [[Pentagon Worlds]] and the [[Kerensky Cluster]], the [[Clans]] have used exoskeletons extensively. One of these —a submersible exoskeleton used by the [[Clan Goliath Scorpion|Goliath Scorpions]]— would serve as inspiration for the first battle armor designs.
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Exoskeletons similarly found use for military applications. The first combat exoskeleton, the ''[[Nighthawk]]'', was one of the [[Star League Defense Force]]’s most closely guarded secrets, in part because of its use by their special forces units.  That secret would remain following the [[Operation Exodus|Exodus]] and subsequent [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]], although examples of the ''Nighthawk'' would wind up in the care of [[ComStar]] and serve as inspiration for the ''[[Tornado]]'', while the [[Clans]] continued employing exoskeletons to survive the harsh [[Pentagon Worlds]]. One of these Clan suits, an underwater submersible used by [[Clan Goliath Scorpion]], would serve as the basis upon which [[Battle Armor]] would be built.  Within the [[Inner Sphere]] civilian exoskeletons remain ubiquitous, especially with the return of the Clans, and a number of battlefield and gladiatorial designs have since been created.<ref name="TRO:VARp180"/>
  
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"Today the ubiquitous exoskeleton is a part of everyday life. Easy to operate and with low maintenance requirements, exoskeletons can be found on even the most impoverished of worlds. Apparently proving that people will bet on anything, the [[Solaris VII]] Class I fight circuit pits modified exoskeletons against one another. More then one “Pit Fighter” has gone on to claim the coveted title of Solaris Champion."<sup>1</sup>
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== See Also ==
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*[[:Category:Exoskeleton|Exoskeletons]]
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*[[:Category:PA(L) Battle Armor|Power Armor (Light) Suits]]
  
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==References==
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== References ==
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1. "Exoskeletons", [[Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex]], (Chicago: [[FanPro]], 2006), 180.
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<references />
  
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== Bibliography ==
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* ''[[TechManual]]''
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* ''[[Technical Readout: 3026]]''
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* ''[[Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised]]''
  
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[[Category:Technology]]
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[[Category: Exoskeletons]]
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[[Category: Technology|Exoskeleton]]
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{{stub}}
 

Revision as of 15:25, 15 July 2020

Description

Exoskeletons are specialized mechanical suits, weighing between 80 to 400 kilograms, that increase the strength, speed and other attributes of the wearer. Often used for industrial applications, Exoskeletons may also be utilized for warfighting, where they are commonly known as Power Armor (Light) or PA(L).[1]

The first exoskeletons were extremely primitive machines, slow and clumsy and limited to hydraulics for motion. However, the invention of Myomer in the twenty-fourth century provided a means of making exoskeletons more efficient. Research efforts by the Star League resulted in a number of technological advances, such as control systems that were more responsive to the user, which soon allowed exoskeletons to explode onto the civilian market. Exoskeletons found a myriad of uses, from construction and mining to search and rescue and firefighting.[2]

Exoskeletons similarly found use for military applications. The first combat exoskeleton, the Nighthawk, was one of the Star League Defense Force’s most closely guarded secrets, in part because of its use by their special forces units. That secret would remain following the Exodus and subsequent Succession Wars, although examples of the Nighthawk would wind up in the care of ComStar and serve as inspiration for the Tornado, while the Clans continued employing exoskeletons to survive the harsh Pentagon Worlds. One of these Clan suits, an underwater submersible used by Clan Goliath Scorpion, would serve as the basis upon which Battle Armor would be built. Within the Inner Sphere civilian exoskeletons remain ubiquitous, especially with the return of the Clans, and a number of battlefield and gladiatorial designs have since been created.[2]

See Also

References

  1. ↑ TechManual, pp. 160-161, "Battle Armor Basics"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised, p. 180, "Exoskeletons"

Bibliography

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