The Future Soldier Initiative. Credit: U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Design and Engineering Center in Massachusetts.
Those powersuits that we see in the movies may not be just a dream anymore. The U.S. Army research lab in Natick, Massachusetts has this latest project that attempts to create what our soldiers might carry into the battlefield of tomorrow.
The future combat suits are mechanical exoskeletons which can provide the wearer superhuman strength and endurance. They are planning to use drugs and prosthetics to boost the brain function of the soldiers and have artificially intelligent "digital buddies" at their beck and call, according to the U.S. Army's Future Soldier Initiative.
These “digital buddies” are paired with each soldier. They can be considered as personal intelligent agents or sidekicks. These programs could sift through information to alert soldiers to vital details. It can provide reminders as memory joggers and even monitor levels of ammunition and other supplies for automated calls for resupply. It can also communicate with other "digital buddies" to better weave soldiers into teams, and even adapt to an individual soldier's personality, strengths and weaknesses.
Click here to read more about Future Soldiers, Future Combat Suits, Digital Buddies.
