Main description:

This book enquires from a sociological perspective into contemporary corporeal transformations brought about by exoskeletal devices.

Challenging material boundaries of human bodies, their capacities, in/abilities and skills, exoskeletal devices question social norms of corporeal 'deviance' and 'extension'. Through multi-sited ethnography, interviews, and analysis of contemporary STS, sociological literature, and current approaches from the phenomenology of the body, this book shows how exoskeletons contribute to forging three contemporary 'corporeal worlds': impairment, ability and above-average ability.

The text questions deeply held ideas about enhancement and augmentation, corporeal deviance and "normality", in the three studied fields of rehabilitation, industry and the armed forces. It will appeal to scholars and advanced students across the social sciences and humanities, including from sociology, philosophy, body studies, and science and technology studies.

Contents:

1. Introduction: From science fictions to science facts

Part I. Technological objects facing embodied subjects

2. Among bodies, exoskeletons and sites

3. Where exoskeletons aim to enter: Realms of human bodies

Part II. Exoskeletons and their corporeal worlds

4. Impaired bodies

5. Able bodies

Part III. What exoskeletons do to the body: Advancing corporealities

6. New body shapes

7. Reinvesting corporeal capabilities: "Deviance" and "extension" redefined

8. Epilogue: Producing bodies while txtending them