B-Temia, a Canadian robotics tech company and leader in the human mobility market, announced its engagement in a major agreement with U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) with its partner Lockheed Martin, appointed as the prime contractor.
At a total value of $6.9M USD, the agreement is for the optimization of the ONYX exoskeleton, the military version of the B-Temia’s Dermoskeleton technology, for field trials with military operators. ONYX is a brand owned by Lockheed Martin under the B-Temia Enabled co-branding.
“Our involvement in this major agreement is the result of 2 years of successful teamwork with our defence & security partner Lockheed Martin and our special advisor Ms. Rita Vazquez-Torres (New Stone Soup Inc.). This work is another key event in our growth phase and provides us the ability to significantly increase our technological edge with our Dermoskeleton technology. B-Temia is now expanding, not only around the world, but also in the military market”, stated Mr. Stephane Bedard, CEO of B-Temia Inc. “This NSRDEC / Lockheed Martin agreement is another acknowledgement from the market on the value of our Dermoskeleton. We are proud and thrilled to materialize our vision of protecting the biomechanical health of military personnel.”
ONYX is a powered, lower-body exoskeleton with artificial intelligence (AI) technology that augments human strength and endurance. ONYX counteracts overstress on the lower back and legs. Using electro-mechanical knee actuators, a suite of sensors, and an AI computer, ONYX learns user movements and delivers the right torque at the right time to assist with walking up steep inclines, lifting or dragging heavy loads.
“Innovative human/machine technologies like ONYX can improve human performance, decrease injury and reduce fatigue to help soldiers accomplish physically demanding tasks,” said Keith Maxwell, exoskeleton technologies program manager at Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control division. “This award brings us one step closer to equipping future forces with advanced exoskeleton capabilities.”
“We are very pleased to see Quebec-based B-Temia Inc. team up with Lockheed Martin to optimize the ONYX exoskeleton for the US Army. Innovation in robotics is a key initiative for Lockheed Martin and it is great to see a Canadian small-medium enterprise play such an important contributing role in providing solutions,” said Charles Bouchard, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin Canada.
About B-Temia
Founded in 2010, B-Temia Inc. is an innovative Canadian robotics technology company that develops and markets cutting-edge products for the growing market of human augmentation systems. B-Temia operates through two wholly-owned subsidiaries, B-Temia Inc. and B-Temia USA Inc., in the medical, industrial and military fields. B-Temia owns a patented technology called Dermoskeleto that restores, maintains or enhances the mobility of users. For more information, please visit: www.b-temia.com
