PowerWalk from BionicPower can generate electricity from the natural action of walking 11906163

 
Eurosatory 2016 Official news online coverage report show daily pictures video International Exhibition of Land Defence & Security army military equipment Paris France industry technology
 
Eurosatory 2016
Defence & Security International Exhibition
Official News online with Editorial and Web TV
Paris
, France
13 - 17 June 2016
 
BionicPower at Eurosatory 2016
 
 
PowerWalk from BionicPower can generate electricity from the natural action of walking.
The Canadian defense Company BionicPower presents a new individual soldier system to generate electricity from the natural action of walking, called PowerWalk Kinetic Energy Harvester. Bionic Power Inc. has already received a contract valued at US$1.25 million from the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense to supply low-volume production units of its PowerWalk® Kinetic Energy Harvester for field trials under the Joint Infantry Company Prototype (JIC-P) Program.
     
The Canadian defense Company BionicPower presents a new individual soldier system to generate electricity from the natural action of walking, called PowerWalk Kinetic Energy Harvester. Bionic Power Inc. has already received a contract valued at US$1.25 million from the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense to supply low-volume production units of its PowerWalk® Kinetic Energy Harvester for field trials under the Joint Infantry Company Prototype (JIC-P) Program. PowerWalk Kinetic Energy Harvester at Eurosatory 2016, the international land and airland defence and security exhibition in Paris, France.
     

The PoweWalk is a light-weight exoskeleton designed to generate electricity from the natural action of walking, in much the same way regenerative braking works in hybrid cars. With every stride, the PowerWalk's on-board microprocessors analyze the wearer's gait to determine precisely when to generate maximum power with the least amount of effort.

With every stride, the PowerWalk’s on-board microprocessors analyze the wearer’s gait using Bionic Power’s proprietary control software to determine precisely when to generate maximum power with the least amount of effort. On level ground, the device requires minimal user effort to harvest power and, while power generation is its primary benefit, the PowerWalk also reduces muscle fatigue during downhill walking, easing metabolic effort and diminishing the potential for injuries.

The system is designed to accommodate a soldier's full range of motion, with no impact to mobility or agility, the harvester works for the wearer, every step of the way On level ground, the device requires minimal effort And, while power generation is its primary benefit, the PowerWalk also reduces muscle fatigue during downhill walking, easing metabolic effort and the potential for injuries.

The walk-recharge capability of the PowerWalk harvester mitigates the risks and costs of using batteries in the field: smaller environmental footprint, reduced need for soldiers to carry backups, and fewer logistical challenges associated with battery replacement and resupply

“A soldier typically carries 16-20lbs (7 - 9 kg) in batteries on a 72-hour mission,” says Noel Soto, U.S. Army Systems Engineer at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. “If a soldier can generate power with wearable energy-harvesting devices, it means we can not only reduce the weight on his or her back, we also minimize the unit’s reliance on field resupply, making it possible for us to extend the duration and effectiveness of a mission.”