OT- Combat Exoskeleton.

[geoschmo]

Historically the university engineering and science departments have always done military research. Not exclusivly, of course, but when you need to raise money to pay for the new equipment, you go where teh money is.

It's the political science and other humanities students that were doing the protesting.

During the 60's a tiny few of the more radical activists even went as far as bombing the research labs. But the labs they were bombing were still part of the campus and staffed primarily by other students and professors.

[dogscoff]

Surely there would be civilian applications for this thing - rescue services spring to mind, and the construction industry.

Of course those industries don't have the same sort of funding as the military...

[sachmo]

I want one!

[EvilGenius4ABetterTomorro]

Wow Berkley hippies making robots! Maybe this armoured exoskeleton is being used to follow Phish around the U.S. Can you imagine some cute hippie girl "free dancing" in an armoured exoskeleton? It probably has built in joint launchers and petchouli aerosol applicators. You could lift a VW Micro Bus and swap out the motor no problemo.
There is also a paralell jet-pack project going on. Instead of a pack it's more of a T-frame that the operators is strapped (crucified) to. Sorry I forget the link. Now all we need is DARPA to bring these two ideas together like peanutbutter and chocolate.

[EvilGenius4ABetterTomorro]

Uhmm, I was serious about the jet pack thingy. However I keep having images of Jesus in a jet pack crucifix.