Load carriage: a widespread military challenge

Lightening the soldier’s burden sits atop the priorities of armed forces worldwide, and for good reasons. Load carriage is the source of musculoskeletal injuries that can impact at various levels the soldier’s ability to perform his duty.

  • Increase in metabolic expenditure
  • Premature fatigue
  • Reduction of cognitive functions
  • Increased risk of injury

Load carriage is responsible for various injuries, such as lower back pain, metatarsalgia, bone fractures, knee pain, thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), and severe blisters.

The load-bearing exoskeleton UPRISE® is a game changer.

Our UPRISE® patented exoskeleton solution

The UPRISE® tactical exoskeleton is a wearable device that assists soldiers in carrying heavy loads by redirecting the weight to the ground through load-bearing structure that overlays the user’s skeleton. No external power source is required. The load is passively redirected through the structure, thereby reducing the physical strain of load carriage.

Results:

Soldiers can carry their equipment with ease while maintaining agility and mobility. They become highly efficient on the battlefield, with all the necessary gear for mission success.

An innovative solution that mades our reputation

In 2014, Mawashi was chosen by the U.S. Department of Special Operations Forces to participate in a project focused on exoskeleton development. It was from this requirement that the first generation of load-bearing exoskeletons, UPRISE®, was born in 2017. Undergoing to the highest levels of military testing, UPRISE® exceeded expectations.

MAWASHI SUIT EXOSKELETON UPRISE FULL VIEW RENDER

UPRISE® : Unique features

Featuring unmatched ergonomics, advanced load-bearing capacity, and high mobility, the ultralight structure of the passive load-bearing exoskeleton, UPRISE®, provides constant assistance to soldiers while enhancing their combat efficiency. Specifically, the exoskeleton assist the soldier through three primary modules:

A flexible spine modeled after the human body

A sliding belt promoting movement at the waist level

Fully articulated and ergonomic legs

Key benefits

  • Ultralight, unpowered system providing constant assistance without mission duration limitations
  • Advanced ergonomics offering unparalleled freedom of movement
  • 25 to 70% load transfer to the ground capacity in static and dynamic conditions
  • Decrease in metabolic expenditure
  • Reduced knee cartilage compression (as demonstrated by MRI imaging)
  • High strength-to-weight ratio
  • Decreased musculoskeletal stress for soldiers carrying heavy loads
  • High level of user and equipment compatibility
  • No significative impact on physiological parameters and soldier strategies during operational tasks

SOLDIER SYSTEM

  • Structure enabling the redirection of a portion of the load carried by soldiers to the ground

  • Compatible with soldier’s equipment

  • Increased performance in the areas of soldier system capabilities (mobility, lethality, survivability, sustainability, and C4I)

  • Increased combat effectiveness

SPECIAL OPERATIONS AND ELITE UNITS

  • Full body ballistic protection equipment (torso and legs) supported by the UPRISE® exoskeleton structure

  • Advanced comfort and ease of motion allowing for high reactivity.

  • Maintained operator’s agility and mobility with the addition of ballistic plates to the lower limbs.

  • Ballistic plates with biomorphic geometry that conforms to the human body.

EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL

  • EOD suit supported by the UPRISE® exoskeleton structure

  • Reduced effective weight carried by the EOD specialist

  • Increased endurance for extended use of the EOD suit

  • Prevention of musculoskeletal injuries associated with wearing heavy protective gear