Superman may no longer be the only person who can bend steel and lift thousands of pounds. In an effort to create a stronger military force, a robotics firm known as Sarcos, based in Salt Lake City and under contract with the U.S. Army, is currently building robotic suits that amplify human strength and endurance up to 20 times, according to CNN.

"Everybody likes the idea of being a superhero, and this is all about expanding the capabilities of a human," says Stephen Jacobsen, chief designer of the robotic suit. The new invention, in essence, provides a way for people to increase their mobility and lift heavy objects with ease.

The 150-pound suit features sensors that amplify every movement by sending signals almost instantly to the suits internal computers. According to the story, "Much as the brain sends signals to tendons to get muscles to move, the computer sends instructions to hydraulic valves. The valves mimic tendons by driving the suit's mechanical limbs, replicating and amplifying the wearer's movements almost instantly."

Although it's still in a beginning stage, Sarcos sees the suit as a valuable contribution to not just the military, but also to factory workers, firemen, and the disabled.

Electricity for the suit, however, is a problem. Power only lasts about 30 minutes on the current model, and software engineers at Sarcos are working around the clock to lengthen that time. The Army's first field tests are planned for 2009.

Photo courtesy of AP