Hanumanta Exo 1 Armor”: Custom Exosuit Platform (CEP)

Hanumanta Exo-1 is an indigenous exoskeleton armor designed to assist Indian Army soldiers by significantly reducing the physical burden of heavy equipment.

Key Features and Development

● Weight Reduction: The device can reduce the perceived weight of a soldier’s backpack by up to 80%.

● Mechanism: It operates on a Delta Spring System, which utilizes an “earthing” process to transfer the load from the shoulders and back directly to the ground through the footwear.

● Collaborative Design: It was developed over two years by Gaurav Rai, a student from AIC-IIT Delhi, in collaboration with the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) in Gandhinagar and the Advanced Imaging Centre (AIC) at IIT Delhi.

● Manufacturer: The custom exosuit platform is associated with Raik Deftech, a defense startup based in Kota, which has completed the initial prototype.

Operational Impact

The suit is designed to be worn from the neck and back down to the shoes, allowing soldiers to march long distances with heavy gear with minimal fatigue. It has received praise for its potential to enhance the operational readiness and endurance of troops in challenging terrains.

“Hanumanta Exo 1 Armor”: DETAILED INFORMATION

The Hanumanta Exo-1 is a cutting-edge indigenous exoskeleton platform designed to revolutionize the operational capabilities of the Indian Army by augmenting soldiers’ strength and endurance. Developed by Raik Deftech, a defense startup based in Kota, the project was led by founder and CEO Gaurav Rai in collaboration with Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) and the Advanced Imaging Centre (AIC) at IIT Delhi.

As of late 2025, the system represents a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” in defense technology, successfully progressing through initial prototype phases to address the physical challenges faced by troops in demanding terrains. Technologically, the Hanumanta Exo-1 is a custom exosuit platform (CEP) that emphasizes a lightweight yet robust design to ensure maximum mobility without compromising on structural integrity. The suit itself weighs approximately 11.1 kilograms, yet it is engineered to support loads exceeding 80 kilograms. This high weight-to-support ratio is achieved through advanced ergonomic precision that allows the device to adapt to the natural movements of the human body. By utilizing a sophisticated load-transfer mechanism, the suit shifts the weight of heavy equipment—such as backpacks, weapons, and ammunition—away from the soldier’s spine and shoulders, funneling it directly into the ground. This drastically reduces physical fatigue, allowing soldiers to march longer distances and remain combat-ready even after carrying heavy burdens. Beyond mere weight assistance, the Hanumanta Exo-1 is built to enhance stability and lifting capabilities across challenging environments, including high-altitude regions where thin oxygen levels make physical exertion particularly taxing. The design incorporates a “Delta Spring System” and an “earthing” process, ensuring that the wearer maintains a natural gait while the mechanical frame provides the necessary reinforcement.

Unlike rigid, purely industrial exoskeletons, this tactical version is streamlined to be worn from the neck to the footwear, integrating seamlessly with existing military gear. Its development reflects a broader trend in 2025 where the Indian defense sector is increasingly utilizing 3D-printing and composite materials to create terrain-specific, rapid-deployable solutions that offer superior ballistic resistance and structural integrity. This innovation ensures that the Indian jawan is better equipped to handle the logistical and physical demands of modern warfare.

“Hanumanta Exo 1 Armor”: Purpose behind this creation

The Hanumanta Exo-1 was created with the primary purpose of significantly reducing the physical burden and fatigue experienced by Indian Army soldiers, particularly those operating in challenging terrains like high altitudes, deserts, and dense forests.

The key motivations and objectives behind its development include :

● Minimizing Physical Strain: Soldiers often carry heavy loads of equipment, weapons, and supplies for extended periods, leading to severe back and knee problems and general exhaustion. The exoskeleton is designed to mitigate these long-term health issues. Enhancing Endurance and Mobility: By transferring a substantial portion of the load (up to 80%) from the soldier’s back and shoulders directly to the ground via a “Delta Spring System,” the suit allows troops to march longer distances with less effort.

● Improving Operational Readiness: The increased stamina and reduced fatigue directly translate to better operational effectiveness, ensuring soldiers remain physically capable and combat-ready during and after long patrols or demanding missions.

● Addressing the Needs of the Military: The creator, Gaurav Rai, was inspired to develop the suit after learning about the persistent back and knee pain issues his retired army officer father and other soldiers faced. The project was developed in collaboration with defense institutions to meet specific military requirements.

● Indigenous Technology Development: The project aligns with India’s goal of self-reliance in defense technology (“Atmanirbhar Bharat”), providing an in-house solution to a critical operational challenge, in part motivated by other nations like China deploying similar technology.

“Hanumanta Exo 1 Armor”: Creator information

The Hanumanta Exo-1 Armor was created by Gaurav Kumar Rai, an engineer and entrepreneur who founded the defense startup Raik Deftech Private Limited.

Key Creator Details

● Lead Innovator: Gaurav Kumar Rai is the Founder and CEO of Raik Deftech. He is a Mechanical Engineer who graduated from M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (2020–2025).

● Personal Inspiration: The motivation for the project was personal; his father, Satendra Rai, is a retired army officer who suffers from chronic knee and back pain due to years of patrolling with heavy gear. Gaurav developed the suit to prevent such long-term injuries for future soldiers.

● Unique Background: Gaurav is also a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athlete, which influenced the suit’s focus on biomechanics and maintaining a natural range of motion during combat.

● Collaborating Institutions: The development of the Hanumanta Exo-1 was a collaborative effort involving:

▪︎ AIC-IIT Delhi: The Advanced Imaging Centre (AIC) at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, has provided technical support and research facilities.

▪︎ Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU): Based in Gandhinagar, this national security university assisted in aligning the technology with military requirements and presenting it to the Indian Army and DRDO.

● Manufacturing: The armor is being advanced by Raik Deftech, a startup headquartered in Kota, Rajasthan, which specializes in indigenous defense solutions and human augmentation.

“Hanumanta Exo 1 Armor”: How it is made

The Hanumanta Exo-1 is a custom exosuit platform (CEP) designed using advanced biomechanical engineering and lightweight materials to enhance soldier endurance. Its construction focuses on three main pillars: material science, mechanical design, and ergonomic integration.

Structural Materials

The armor is crafted to be exceptionally light but durable, ensuring it does not become a secondary burden for the wearer.

● Lightweight Frame: The suit weighs approximately 11.1 kilograms, achieved through the use of high-strength, low-weight materials such as advanced polymers and potentially carbon-fiber composites.

● 3D Printing & Customization: The manufacturing process utilizes 3D-printing technology to allow for rapid prototyping and the creation of custom-fit components. This ensures the suit can be tailored to the specific body dimensions of different soldiers, which is critical for comfort and load distribution.

The Delta Spring System

The core functional component of the Hanumanta Exo-1 is its proprietary Delta Spring System.

● Load Distribution: This system uses mechanical “earthing” to bypass the soldier’s skeletal structure. Instead of the weight of a heavy backpack (up to 80 kg) pressing down on the shoulders and spine, the mechanical frame and springs funnel that weight directly into the ground through the footwear.

● Passive Mechanics: The system is largely passive, meaning it relies on high-tension springs and mechanical joints rather than heavy motors or batteries. This eliminates the need for a constant power source, which is a major advantage in remote battlefield conditions.

Ergonomic and Combat Design

The suit is “made” to move as a natural extension of the human body.

● Joint Integration: It is designed with joints that align with the wearer’s hips, knees, and ankles, allowing for a full range of motion. This is heavily influenced by the creator’s background in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), ensuring that a soldier can still run, squat, and jump while wearing the suit.

● Full-Body Integration: The suit is constructed to be worn from the neck down to the shoes. It integrates with standard military gear, allowing soldiers to mount their existing backpacks and weaponry directly onto the exoskeleton’s external frame.

Collaborative Development

The manufacturing of the initial prototypes was a joint effort:

● Raik Deftech: The startup in Kota handled the primary design and physical assembly.

● IIT Delhi (AIC): Provided technical research facilities for advanced imaging and stress testing.

● Rashtriya Raksha University: Assisted in refining the operational design to meet the specific “ruggedized” standards required for the Indian Army.

“Hanumanta Exo 1 Armor”: Created for?

The Hanumanta Exo-1 Armor was created primarily for the Indian Army to enhance the physical capabilities and health of soldiers serving in the field. Specifically, it was developed for the following purposes :

● Indian Soldiers in Extreme Terrains: It is designed for troops patrolling in harsh environments like high-altitude mountains, deserts, and dense forests, where thin oxygen and rugged landscapes make physical exertion difficult.

● Load-Bearing Assistance: Its main goal is to help soldiers carry heavy equipment (up to 80 kg) by reducing the perceived weight on their bodies by 80% to 90%.

● Injury Prevention: A key driver behind its creation was to prevent long-term back, spine, and knee injuries caused by the immense weight of standard military backpacks and gear.

● Operational Endurance: It aims to turn infantrymen into “super warriors” by allowing them to march longer distances with significantly less fatigue.

“Hanumanta Exo 1 Armor. “Will it help?

Yes, based on technical specifications and recent 2025 evaluations, the Hanumanta Exo-1 Armor is designed to provide significant practical help to soldiers in several key areas:

Significant Load Reduction

The armor is engineered to reduce the perceived weight of a soldier’s equipment by 80% to 90%. For example, if a soldier is carrying a 60 kg load, the exoskeleton allows them to feel as if they are carrying only about 10 kg. This drastic reduction enables troops to move more freely and conserve energy.

Fatigue Management and Endurance

By using a Delta Spring System, the suit transfers the weight of heavy gear directly to the ground (a process called “earthing”) through the footwear. This prevents the weight from settling on the soldier’s spine and joints, significantly reducing physical exhaustion during long-distance patrols in rugged terrains such as deserts and high-altitude mountains.

Long-term Injury Prevention

The primary motivation behind its creation was to prevent chronic back and knee pain. By stabilizing the body and offloading weight from vulnerable skeletal structures, the suit aims to protect soldiers from permanent joint and spinal damage typically caused by years of carrying 40–50 kg packs.

Operational Status in 2025

●Presentation to Military: The device has already been presented to the Indian Army and DRDO, where it was praised for its utility.

●Future Enhancements: In late 2025, suggestions have been made to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the system to optimize its responsiveness to human movement further.

● Intellectual Property: Patenting for the technology is scheduled to begin in January 2026.

While it does not provide “superhuman” strength for lifting tanks, it effectively solves the critical logistical problem of infantry fatigue, turning the standard soldier into a more durable “super warrior” capable of maintaining high combat effectiveness even after hours of marching.

Summary

The Hanumanta Exo-1 is a revolutionary indigenous exoskeleton platform developed by Gaurav Kumar Rai and his startup, Raik Deftech, to transform the physical capabilities of Indian Army soldiers. Born from a personal desire to prevent the chronic spinal and joint injuries suffered by veterans, including the creator’s father, this suit utilizes an innovative Delta Spring System to transfer the weight of heavy gear directly into the ground. By bypassing the soldier’s skeletal structure through a process known as mechanical earthing, the armor reduces the perceived burden of a backpack by up to 80 percent.

Developed in collaboration with IIT Delhi and Rashtriya Raksha University, the 11.1-kilogram suit is engineered to be lightweight yet robust enough to support external loads exceeding 80 kilograms. Its passive mechanical design ensures it remains operational in remote areas without the need for heavy batteries or constant power sources. As of late 2025, the system has garnered significant interest from the Indian Army and DRDO for its potential to turn infantrymen into high-endurance warriors capable of patrolling extreme terrains with minimal fatigue. With patenting slated for early 2026, the Hanumanta Exo-1 stands as a vital advancement in India’s defense self-reliance and the protection of its military personnel.