Robot Arm Lets People Lift Almost 1,000 Lbs.

Humans using machines to lift heavy objects is nothing new, but this arrangement has just gotten a lot more sophisticated. Scientists recently created robotic arms that humans can then use in order to lift almost 1,000 lbs. or half a ton of weight. This falls in line with the machine/man merging process that Tesla CEO Elon Musk is aiming for.

Musk is of the opinion that in order for the human race to avoid extinction or enslavement by artificial intelligence, humanity must augment itself by merging with machines, Futurism reports. This applies to both the mental and physical aspects of the human body. In the case of the robotic arms made by Sarcos Robotics researchers, the focus is entirely physical.

Called Guardian GT, the arm is seven feet long and can each lift 500 lbs. of weight. The arms can be controlled via simulated limbs that human operators can use. They are a bit like the arms of giant mech suits in movies like The Matrix trilogy and Avatar.

What really makes these arms so special is how they reduce the amount of strain that weights place on the human body. When lifting the maximum amount of weight that the arms can carry, for example, the operators only need to content with around five lbs. of strain.

The arms are also designed in a way to make them as close to human extremities as possible, WIRED recently reported. This means that using them is almost mechanically no different than using one’s own arms and legs.

There will be a need to adapt, of course, with operators working to make sure that they can use the arms with considerable dexterity. Once the Guardian GT becomes applicable in a practical sense, it could lead to humans having actual exoskeletons that can allow for remarkable physical achievements.