The idea isn't new, of course, as the US Military's DARPA arm, for one, is also working on passive suits that reduce fatigue in soldiers or civilians. However, the SEnS researchers say they've developed custom computer models that calculate the maximum range of motion where subjects can comfortably sense lifting forces. They used that info to build the suit out of ordinary flexible fabrics that take the load off of the primary lifting muscles. It could be used by the elderly, injury rehab patients or healthy people working in extreme conditions, to name a few. The team added that the suit could eventually be "made-to-order... in keeping with individual muscle movements."