GadgetMadness: We find the coolest gadgets first

Who doesn't wish for a self-powered exoskeleton to effectively take the load off his or her back every now and then. Such a machine could become an invaluable tool for anyone who needs to travel long distances by foot with a heavy load. It finally has become reality: "We set out to create an exoskeleton that combines a human control system with robotic muscle." said Homayoon Kazerooni, professor of mechanical engineering and director of UC Berkeley’s Robotics and Human Engineering Laboratory. "Many scientists and engineers have been attempting to build a robotic strength enhancing device since the 1950s, and they’ve failed," said Kazerooni. "It is only through recent engineering breakthroughs that this dream is now becoming a reality."