Powered exoskeleton suit could help factory workers with repetitive heavy lifting

A Japanese venture group have devised a wearable exoskeleton which can carry the burden of heavy lifting. The so-called Muscle Upper weighs just 17 pounds (8 kilograms) and has the power to raise a maximum of 66 pounds (30 kilograms), it's inventors say. The brainchild of Innophys - a company set-up by the Tokyo University of Science - it could relieve humans of muscle and joint damage through repetitive heavy-lifting. Specifically, it alleviates wear-and-tear on the back and arms, which means it could be ideal for those who work in factories. A video showcasing the frame reveals that compressed air is used to flex the'muscles', which are made of rubber.