This Airline Is Testing Powered Exoskeletons For Luggage Workers

Watch it heft 200 pound suitcases as if they were weightless.

Airport Exosuit

U.S. airline Delta is partnering with Utah-based exoskeleton company Sarcos Robotics to test whether its powered suits can help employees at lifting luggage and other repetitive tasks.

"We owe it to the best airline employees on the planet to explore how emerging technology can make their jobs safer and easier," said Gareth Joyce, Delta’s senior VP, in a statement. A video shows it hefting packages at CES.

Lift Heavy

The company says its Guardian XO exoskeleton can enable users to lift 200 pounds (90 kg) for up to eight hours at a time without risking work injuries or fatigue. Workers can take the suit on and off in just 30 seconds.

In addition to the luggage video, Delta is planning to test the suit in roles that handle freight warehouses, move maintenance components, or lift heavy machinery and parts with the exoskeleton.

According to Delta, the suit could also level the playing field by giving a more diverse talent pool the opportunity to fill in roles that have substantial strength requirements.

Deployment

It's not the first time we've heard of the Guardian XO. The suit made headlines in March when Sarcos Robotics announced that it's been awarded a contract by United States Special Operations Command.

Delta is looking to deploy a Guardian XO suit in the next couple of months to give employees an idea of what it can do.

READ MORE: Screw packing light. Delta’s exoskeleton crew could lift your luggage with ease [Digital Trends]

More on the suit: The U.S. Military is Buying a Brutal-Looking Powered Exoskeleton