Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc., a robotic exoskeleton company, announced today that co-founder Russ Angold was named president of the company's division focused on technology development and future applications, formally named Ekso Labs.
Russ will oversee and build out the division that is responsible for developing intellectual property through engineering contracts and research grants from government organizations and industrial partners, including the Department of Defense (DOD). Ekso Bionics has a long history of engineering services work creating an important intellectual property portfolio dating back to the company's inception in 2005.
Most recently Ekso Labs was awarded an Other Transaction for Prototypes Agreement from U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to develop technologies for their Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS) project. TALOS is a futuristic assault suit that promises to provide superhuman strength with superior mobility and protection, and is often referred to as the "Iron Man" suit. The exoskeleton chassis, which Ekso Labs is developing, will be designed to allow soldiers to carry out their mission with agility, while carrying hundreds of pounds of load. The TALOS project is integrating other functional elements, including armor and systems, to provide situational awareness and technology for vital signs monitoring. Ekso Labs is part of a group assembling three TALOS prototypes that will be delivered in the summer of 2014. The team includes Under Armor and Legacy Effects.
"The timing is right for TALOS from a technology perspective. With recent advances in engineering it is now possible to build this kind of suit, but that doesn't make it easy," said Ekso Labs President, Russ Angold. "No single industry can build it. SOCOM is assembling a team of exceptional players to ensure this project's ultimate success, and we are proud to be the first contractor and to be at the center of this system."
A 2007 grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology led to the development of Ekso™, a robotic exoskeleton that enables wheelchair users to stand and walk again. Iterations of this technology resulted in today's Ekso GT™ with Variable Assist. This medical device is designed for use in the clinical setting and is optimized to treat a range of patients with stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injuries. Other grants from the DOD led Ekso Bionics (previously Berkeley Bionics™) to unveil a load carriage exoskeleton, the Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC), in 2008. In 2009 the HULC technology was licensed to Lockheed Martin for further military development. Ekso Labs will continue development work on the HULC platform for Lockheed Martin.
"Our engineering services projects have been producing important intellectual property since our company began. This IP will be used to deploy wearable robotics in military, industrial, and consumer markets in the future," said Ekso Bionics' chief executive officer Nathan Harding. "Making Ekso Labs autonomous will ensure that this engine of intellectual property continues to run as our medical products business grows. In the months to come, Russ will be making key hires to expand this exciting team, and we welcome inquiries from outstanding individuals who would like to help us augment strength and endurance for the human endeavor."
Source: http://www.eksobionics.com