Vitruvian passive exoskeleton-J.L.X.Z

The Vitruvian is a conceptual passive exoskeleton designed for the U.S. Marine Corps to boost endurance and mitigate muscular fatigue. At its core, the system uses spring tension to support the lower back and waist, specifically during heavy lifting. It features adjustable tension settings and a chest-mounted hydraulic switch that completely disengages the mechanism when not needed, leaving the wearer with zero resistance. Built from breathable materials, the frame is fully compatible with standard MOLLE webbing. This project was developed as part of the J.L.X.Z initiative.

My workflow began in Fusion 360, where I modeled a block-out to establish the back frame's scale and thickness. I then moved to Photoshop to sketch out weight-reduction holes, reinforcing ribs, and cable routing. To ground the concept in reality, I used NotebookLM to parse patent literature on passive skeletons, using the AI to cross-reference mechanical principles. For the final visualization, I used Nano Banana to refine my photobash, layering various backpack and harness configurations into a cohesive, high-fidelity render.

The soldier assets and camouflage were sourced from public domain imagery, with all faces obscured for privacy. While the project has its flaws—such as the practical challenge of integrating the vest with heavy-duty armor like an IOTV—the process was an incredible learning experience. As a "lunchtime exercise。"