Introduction

Exoskeletons for Human Performance Augmentation Program Dr. Ephrahim Garcia, DARPA/DSO
The program is set-up to develop the enabling technology to build an exoskeleton The exoskeleton should be like a bicycle going downhill… The aim is to change the way the military do things by giving them enhanced capabilities Dr. Garcia's diagram of his Integrated Design approach: --------------------

"We're not going to embed chips in anyone's brain, at least" - though neuro-mechanical responses using non-invasive techniques would be welcomed.
Garcia jokes about people who already believe they have chips in their brains - "maybe it won't be that hard to sell" after all - general laughter.
Progress "not with skin-penetrating electrodes" - but with neuro-mechanical communication through external sensors.
No-one wants to see American soldiers on enemy vivisection tables.
"When we bring the human into the loop" - it has to look cool, it has to have a feel-good factor - "this is neat, give me one" is the reaction we want.
2002, 03, 04 big development years
2005 onward - looking to see results: full exoskeletons.
"I'm not interested in building robots. What we do will affect robotics in the future, but I'm not interested in androids." Dr. Garcia