Sarcos Robotics said a breakthrough in energy usage allows its Guardian XO Max model to use less than 400 W while walking at human speed, representing a decrease of more than 90% in the power typically required for humanoid robots.

In addition, the unit is designed to allow its battery modules to be ‘hot swapped’ in the field within seconds without loss of power to the unit.

“There are many misperceptions regarding the commercial readiness and viability of full-body industrial exoskeletons that are capable of substantially increasing human strength and endurance, including the amount of power required to operate these machines,” said Sarcos Robotics chairman and CEO Ben Wolff.

“With our innovations in optimising power utilisation, Sarcos has been able to do what no other robotics company in the world has been able to do with powered exoskeletons or humanoid robots — power a human-scale robot doing meaningful work for up to eight hours on a single charge.”

The company plans to start shipping to customers in early 2020.