Abstract: Wearable systems to partially support the weight of a human user engaged in task performance in a crouched position at or near ground level are presented herein. In one aspect, the wearable systems employ passive mechanisms and the configuration of the support mechanisms is changed by movements of the body of the human user while transitioning from a standing position to a crouched position, and vice-versa. In a further aspect, each passive lower body support assembly includes an auxiliary body support structure to enhance the support of the human user in a crouched position. In another further aspect, each auxiliary body support structure is deployed in coordination with the movement of the seat support structure that supports the human user. In some embodiments, one or more body support structures are constructed from an elastic material that conforms to the ground surface when loaded by the weight of the human user.

Abstract: Wearable systems to partially support the weight of a human user engaged in task performance in a crouched position at or near ground level are presented herein. In one aspect, the wearable systems employ passive mechanisms and the configuration of the support mechanisms is changed by movements of the body of the human user while transitioning from a standing position to a crouched position, and vice-versa. In a further aspect, each passive lower body support assembly includes an auxiliary body support structure to enhance the support of the human user in a crouched position. In another further aspect, each auxiliary body support structure is deployed in coordination with the movement of the seat support structure that supports the human user. In some embodiments, one or more body support structures are constructed from an elastic material that conforms to the ground surface when loaded by the weight of the human user.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser oscillator is formed by laser diodes arranged two-dimensionally in fast-axis and slow-axis directions. A laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser oscillator is incident on a homogenizer. The homogenizer condenses the laser beam onto a long-length incident region at a surface to be irradiated. The homogenizer divides the laser beam into a plurality of beams with respect to a short-axis direction of the incident region, and superimposes the plurality of divided beams at the surface to be irradiated to cause the superimposed beams to be incident on the incident region. The slow-axis direction of the semiconductor laser oscillator is inclined with respect to a long-axis direction of the incident region.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser oscillator is formed by laser diodes arranged two-dimensionally in fast-axis and slow-axis directions. A laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser oscillator is incident on a homogenizer. The homogenizer condenses the laser beam onto a long-length incident region at a surface to be irradiated. The homogenizer divides the laser beam into a plurality of beams with respect to a short-axis direction of the incident region, and superimposes the plurality of divided beams at the surface to be irradiated to cause the superimposed beams to be incident on the incident region. The slow-axis direction of the semiconductor laser oscillator is inclined with respect to a long-axis direction of the incident region.