Delta Air Lines could be moving into the realm of sci-fi by equipping some employees with ‘wearable robotic’ gear.
The airline has joined the Exoskeleton Technical Advisory Group (X-TAG), which looks at ways to make full-body robotic systems perform real-world functions.
These ‘powered industrial exoskeleton systems’ are mostly aimed at the construction and heavy machinery industries but could have a use in aviation, Delta says.
"There is no greater responsibility we have than to keep our people and our customers safe," said Gil West, Delta’s chief operating officer, in a statement.
"This X-TAG is an innovative opportunity to think about how fitting our employees with wearable robotics can build on our strong personal safety culture and further protect our people from injury by giving them an additional layer of strength and protection."
X-TAG is led by Sarcos Robotics and includes firms such as BMW, Caterpillar, GE and Schlumberger.
Sarcos has developed two robotic gear prototypes that enable workers to perform hours of intense physical activity that would normally be impossible.
Sarcos says a human operator bears none of the load of heavy lifting the exoskeleton performs.
It could potentially be of use for aviation ground handling and maintenance functions.
"The opportunity to deploy powered, full-body industrial exoskeletons that reduce injury and dramatically enhance human strength, endurance and precision is more proximate than most people realize" said Ben Wolff, chairman and CEO of Sarcos Robotics.
