[Updated] Emerging Technology (Research & Narrative)

With human augmentation on the rise in the hype cycle for emerging technologies, 2016, it comes down to two paths. Disability compensation and capability augmentation. As these experiences become more intelligent and immersive, there can be a greater production of exoskeletons. With companies such as Ekso Bionics and B-Temia, rehabilitation for people with disabilities and injuries; augmentation of human strength, endurance, and mobility at factories, distribution centers, and construction sites; increasing the metabolic reserve of a soldier while preventing short and long term injuries better supports and protects its user.

Ekso GT is a robotic exoskeleton approved for rehabilitation purposes for stroke and spinal cord injury patients. Recovering from such injuries, it helps patients get back on their feet sooner by encouraging them to contribute to their power while in rehab.  Ekso GT also supports midline orientation and balance awareness, as it has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. On the industrial side, Ekso Works' products facilitate physical labor offering support and security in counter to injury and fatigue. Built and designed for environments like factories, distribution centers, and construction sites, Ekso Works' exoskeleton helps reduce long-duration activities, considering how it affects your body in the long run. This technology may also help the workers finish the work on time and within budget all while having fewer injuries.

Although Revision Military commercializes it under the PROWLER branding, the architect behind the military dermoskeleton is B-Temia. In March 2011, a strategic partnership between B-Temia and Revision Military Inc. was established, allowing the production for militarized exoskeletons. PROWLER, the military dermoskeleton, has demonstrated the advantage of human augmentation, following years of development and testing. Joint stress reduction of overwhelming operators alongside carrying another soldier was met. Through this technology, soldiers can be more lethal where at the same time, increasing deployability. Revision's military kinetic suit has been tested by the US Army and Canadian Forces.

Reason I decided to research this was because human augmentation is already happening. Hearing capacity is being restored and increased, human exoskeletons are being used to augment movement, sensory processing is being enhanced, etc. A lot of technologies are being created and improved to increase human productivity or capabilities.

Bibliography

1. "Industrial - Ekso Bionics." Ekso Bionics. Ekso Bionics, n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.
2. "Patients - Ekso Bionics." Ekso Bionics. Ekso Bionics, n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.
3. "Soldier Protection." BTemia Human Augmentation Systems Restore and Enhance Mobility RSS 092. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.

(Image by Ekso Bionics)

(Image via B-Temia)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4tz3Y-71z4 (Ekso Bionics) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9Wbj1-pZcQ (Revision) 

Narrative

It's cloudy. The notorious gang, the Crimsons, just received a narcotic shipment. Law enforcement and sheriffs arrive, and under heavy gunfire in an attempt to seize the merchandise. Former Sheriff John Fields takes cover behind his car alongside other officers taking cover behind their vehicles. Little by little do they move forward on their way to board the ship. Wielding AR-15s and AK-47s, the Crimsons continue to pour down bullets upon law enforcement from the ship. In the time being, Officer Vince gets cover, and Officer Reyna reloads. Sheriff John Fields orders officers Ellis, Vince, Lily, Karson, and Rayna to put on the powered exoskeletons they have to help them move faster and to follow him.

While Captain Cole Field's men provide cover, Sheriff John Fields leads his team to aboard the ship. Less than twenty-five meters away, despite moving at a slow pace taking cover under any object coming their way, the sheriff's team advanced, wiping out Crimsons within eyesight. As they got closer, there were fewer objects to take cover. Sheriff John Fields orders his officers to run and take cover next to the ship. Along the way, Officer Rayna reloads where a series of bullets rain upon her. Once reaching the ship, the team noticed Rayna's body lying on the ground. Feeling remorse for not being able to stop Rayna's death, Sheriff John Fields is now more determined to wipe out every Crimson in this ship.

Despite the loss, they get on board and take cover on a wall perpendicular to the stairs that lead up to the ship. Sheriff John Fields signals Captain Cole Fields that they're on board, meaning it's time for his men to get across the field. Sheriff John Fields orders Ellis and Vince to go up inside the ship with him, while Lily and Karson stay down to provide cover so Captain Field's team may get on deck. Sheriff Fields, Ellis, and Vince make their way up the stairs. They manage to kill a handful of Crimsons. In the meantime, Lily and Karson were taking cover behind an intermodal container as they received fire from Crimsons across the ship.

As Sheriff John Fields opens the top door where Ellis will lead inside, a Crimson was awaiting them inside and fires at Ellis, killing him instantly. Following Ellis, Officer Vince manages to kill the Crimson who shot his partner, and those behind him. As they move forward, Officer Vince and Sheriff John Fields rain justice upon the criminals inside the ship. Officer Lily and Karson move in the opposite direction the sheriff went. Two dozen Crimsons rush to them from the opposite side of the ship, in between the intermodal containers. Officer Karson kills tenfold until a rain of bullets showers his body. In the meantime, Officer Lily kills another tenfold, before giving her last breath.

Captain Cole Field's team manages to get onboard, followed by the remaining officers who were providing them cover. With the numbers matching, it was a matter of time before they started to clean up the ship. After what seemed like Sheriff Fields and Officer Vince wiped out the inner part of the ship entirely, a Crimson was discreetly following them two as they exited the interior region. Once outside, both the sheriff and the captain manage to get a glimpse of one another, until a row of bullets shower Vince from the back, followed by Sheriff John Fields.

The captain kills the Crimson, who gave the final blow to his brother. He runs towards John, gets on his knees, and gets ahold of him. Sheriff John Fields smiles at his brother as they lock eyes, and slowly looks away, giving his last gasp. The sound of gunfire finally stops, and the cheering voices of the remaining officers are heard, except there is no cheering for Cole Fields. He picks up his brother's bloodied badge, and becomes the new sheriff, in an attempt to avenge his brother's death.