MOSCOW. Dec 12 (Interfax) - The production of so-called active exoskeletons could start in Russia in four to six years' time, according to the Central Scientific Research Institute of Precision Machine Building (TsNIITochMash), the developer.
"The serial production of passive exoskeletons for lifting heavy loads without power supply will begin in the next two or three years. The production of active exoskeletons could begin within four to six years," according to the institute's specialists cited by the state corporation Rostec.
The passive exoskeletons have been trialed in Syria, the developer said.
"It is not ruled out that the exoskeleton will form part of the third-generation soldier protection system, work on which is expected to begin in 2020. Most likely, the exoskeleton will form part of the gear for specialists who have to carry heavy loads over long distances, such as special-forces soldiers, bomb disposal experts, and so on," the statement reads.
Interfax reported earlier that the next-generation soldier protection systems would include an active exoskeleton that could operate without recharging up to 24 hours. It should enable a soldier to move at up to 20 kilometers per hour and carry up to 100 kilograms of weight. The current prototypes enable one to accurately fire a machinegun single-handedly.
Also being developed for the new soldier protection systems are a chameleon coating capable of changing colors in real time, landmine-proof boots, smart goggles, combined microrobotic systems, and friend-or-foe identification systems.