SUPER STRENGTH TO BUILD SUPER SHIPS

Exoskeleton Gives Shipyard Workers Super Strength

Exoskeleton aids for workers are starting to move into the workplace. Last year, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering tested robotic exoskeletons that give the wearer enhanced strength. Much of the work at the Daewoo shipyards is already carried out by robots, and now after the successful trial, the company has opted to outfit its staff with the suits on a more permanent basis. The exoskeletons will permit shipyard workers to lift and maneuver heavy building materials without the aid of large machinery.

The exoskeletons can be worn by anyone between 160 and 185 centimetres tall. The suit, which weighs 28 kg (62 lbs) is made from a carbon, aluminium alloy and steel. The extra weight is not an issue for the wearer as the suit is self-supporting and allows free movement. The suit’s battery lasts for up to 3 hours at a time and permits the wearer to lift 30 kg. However, Gilwhoan Chu, lead engineer for Daewoo’s research and development, is working on increasing the lifting capacity to closer to 100 kg.

These suits could potentially be involved in the construction of the new Maersk super container ships, each weighing 55,000 tonnes with room for 18,000 containers. Daewoo has a $1.9 billion contract to build ten of these gigantic ships. The prototypes are not quite the finished article with several issues yet to be resolved, but this move by Daewoo still represents a big step towards the future.