現(xiàn)實(shí)中，會有越來越多的“鋼鐵俠”

Imagine wearing high-tech body armor that makes you super strong and tireless.
想象自己穿上高科技人體鎧甲，變得超級強(qiáng)大、不知疲倦。

Such technology, more specifically called an exoskeleton, sounds like the preserve of the “Iron Man” series of superhero movies.
這種技術(shù)的學(xué)名為外骨骼，聽起來就像超級英雄電影《鋼鐵俠》系列的保留項(xiàng)目。

Yet the equipment is increasingly being worn in real life around the world.
在現(xiàn)實(shí)生活中，全球各地使用這種鎧甲的人越來越多。

And one manufacturer - California's SuitX - expects it to go mainstream.
美國加州的外骨骼制造商SuitX公司期待這種產(chǎn)品會成為主流。

Credit: SuitX

In simple terms, an exoskeleton is an external device that supports, covers and protects its user, giving greater levels of strength and endurance.
簡而言之，外骨骼就是支撐、遮蓋和保護(hù)使用者的外部設(shè)備，為其提供更高水平的力量和耐力。

Sometimes also referred to as "wearable robots", they can be battery-powered and computer-operated, incorporating motors and hydraulics. Or they can be more simple, passive designs that use springs and dampeners.
外骨骼有時也被稱為"可穿戴機(jī)器人"，有的靠電池供電、電腦操作，包含發(fā)動機(jī)和液壓裝置，也有比較簡單的運(yùn)用彈簧和減震器的被動式設(shè)計。

Many of the early applications have been focused on military and medical applications, but in the last several years there's been an explosion of use in a range of cases.
許多早期外骨骼應(yīng)用主要集中在軍事和醫(yī)療領(lǐng)域，但是過去幾年，多個領(lǐng)域的使用量劇增。

This expansion, which has come with rapid advances in the technology, has seen exoskeletons increasingly used by manufacturing workers.
與此同時，伴隨著技術(shù)的快速發(fā)展，制造工人越來越多地使用外骨骼。

Versions for consumers are also now being developed to help people more easily do everything from DIY, to walking, climbing stairs, and other daily activities.
廠商現(xiàn)在也研發(fā)出了消費(fèi)者版外骨骼，來幫助人們更容易地從事DIY(自己動手做)、走路、爬樓梯和其他日常活動。