Comment Re:Only geeks... (Score 1) 125
How is that any different than swinging a load around with a crane? People will just have to be careful and realize the suits can be dangerous if misused.
I think the dexterity is the key here. Yes, a crane can lift 10+ tonnes at the touch of a button/lever - once someone has attached the hook to the object. You can't just reach down and pick something up with a crane, except in very carefully controlled circumstances (like shipping containers lined up on a dockyard). Imagine a suit like this in rescue situations, though: lifting lots of chunks of rubble off trapped survivors, clearing blocked paths. A crane could lift the weight easily, but can't pick chunks of rubble up; a bulldozer or excavator could move it all, but would kill the people trapped underneath. Also, in those situations there is often a lot of dust etc around - and filter masks don't fit well with the physical exertion of lifting and moving heavy debris.
Also, like the previous comment says, I imagine they'll scale up to heavier weights and other features in future (adding power tools, for example).