A PAIR OF BLEEX; Robolegs to give super powers to rescue crews.

Byline: By Donna Watson

THEY are the robotic legs that can give us mere mortals superhuman marching powers. BLEEX the Berkeley Lower Extremities Exoskeleton - straps on to the wearer's legs.

The inventors hope the bionic breeks will help people such as firefighters or soldiers to bear heavy loads for miles.

They say testers have walked around in the 100lb exoskeleton plus a 70lb backpack and felt as if they were carrying just a 5lb load.

BLEEX consists of a pair of mechanical metal leg braces that include a power unit and a backpack-like frame. The braces are attached to modified Army boots and also connected, although less rigidly, to the legs.

Sensors and hydraulic mechanisms function like a human nervous system, constantly calculating how to distribute the weight being borne to create a minimal load for the wearer.

Homayoon Kazerooni, director of the University of California-Berkeley's robotics and human engineering lab, said: 'There is no joystick, keyboard or push-button. The pilot becomes an integral part of the exoskeleton.'

He added: 'The exoskeleton is not going to magically transform people into killing machines.

'They're really good at enabling firefighters, soldiers and post-disaster rescue crews to carry heavy loads over great distances for hours.'

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GIANT STRIDE: Robotic BLEEX will help rescuers