An unpowered exoskeleton decreases the energy required for walking - Polidicks

[url]http://arstechnica.com/science/2015/04/an-unpowered-exoskeleton-decreases-the-energy-required-for-walking/?comments=1[/url] [quote]The ability to walk upright is a defining characteristic of humans, one that emerged through a long evolutionary history. It's not just a matter of the right bones; our muscular, skeletal, and neural systems have evolved to enable our coordinated movements. Even with all that optimization, walking can be tiring; in fact, people expend more energy walking than any other daily activity. As we age, walking often becomes even more difficult. For decades researchers have explored ways to mitigate the energy cost associated with walking—studies that are typically aimed at helping those who are weaker or disabled. Recently, scientists and engineers started to look at this issue from a new perspective; they questioned whether the human gait is as efficient as it can be. This interdisciplinary research team developed a device that behaves as an unpowered exoskeleton.[/quote] [video=youtube;92zPP9wLVz8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92zPP9wLVz8[/video] Pretty neat stuff.

This is freaking rad, could be applied to lots of different venues to help people in need. Sort of related, I went to high-school with a guy who's got a startup business going where he accepts scans of people's limbs and makes extremely affordable 3D-printed prosthetics. Most common prosthetics cost upwards of like $10k, he offers a flat rate of $300 for his. Really neat how technology is allowing more of these things to be accessible.

We're all going to turn into the Wall-e people. :(

As if we weren't lazy enough (Yeah, I know, it's meant for disabled and old people, but still).

I wonder if it would result in eventual bone and muscle mass reduction But then again, there are people whose jobs involve sitting down for 8+ hrs per day and they're still able to walk fine. I guess walking with this on is still probably more helpful to muscle and bone maintenance than sitting.

walking for fit people is not a task that would make said people want to go and put a big clumsy device around their legs and back

I'm guessing this an experiment to demonstrate the future for exoskeletons in more of a military/utilitarian purpose. I've been able to see some of the the powered exoskeletons on base that are pretty neat but have their limits.

I think these augmentations that allow less energy for walking and running should be reserved to the military or special civilian sectors. Its a good idea for soldiers to cover a long distance without using enough energy. But if your a civilian who wants this because you get tired of walking, get off your fatass and move. OK first, if you can't walk, I mean Literally "You can not walk because of wheelchair or etc." this is a good idea.

[QUOTE=.Lain;47476234]walking for fit people is not a task that would make said people want to go and put a big clumsy device around their legs and back[/QUOTE] Good thing this is made specifically for not fit people then :rolleyes:

[QUOTE=.Lain;47476234]walking for fit people is not a task that would make said people want to go and put a big clumsy device around their legs and back[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=The Article]typically aimed at helping those who are weaker or disabled.[/QUOTE]

Anyone who thinks anyone will use this because they don't like walking is a total idiot. Do you seriously think anyone will go out of their way to get this because they don't like walking, when using this requires you to walk? All this does is make the footstep more efficient, if you hate walking you're still gonna hate walking.

[QUOTE=proch;47476320]Good thing this is made specifically for not fit people then :rolleyes:[/QUOTE] to be honest even though I can walk like a pro it'd be cool to have this just for the ability to powerwalk to the mall :v: then again I could do that anyways Amputee's and the disabled getting the ability to walk again and function like they should using exosuits and prosthesis are massively fascinating

I have Achilles tendinopathy which results in a lot of pain when walking for any distance, I wonder if something like this would help with that.

Ok, but how is this going to affect stair climbing, I wonder?

[QUOTE=.Lain;47476234]walking for fit people is not a task that would make said people want to go and put a big clumsy device around their legs and back[/QUOTE] okay to put this in to perspective this was a response to people claiming that fit people would start using these and eventually have no bones or something. not that i think this is designed for fit people

[QUOTE=Deathtrooper2;47476287]I think these augmentations that allow less energy for walking and running should be reserved to the military or special civilian sectors. Its a good idea for soldiers to cover a long distance without using enough energy. But if your a civilian who wants this because you get tired of walking, get off your fatass and move.[/QUOTE] Sad how your first thought is military when giving it to the disabled doesn't even cross your mind.

[QUOTE=AWarmMoose;47476200]We're all going to turn into the Wall-e people. :([/QUOTE] I wouldn't say that'd be a bad thing. We'd discover how to grow pizza plants. [editline]8th April 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Deathtrooper2;47476287]I think these augmentations that allow less energy for walking and running should be reserved to the military or special civilian sectors. Its a good idea for soldiers to cover a long distance without using enough energy. But if your a civilian who wants this because you get tired of walking, get off your fatass and move.[/QUOTE] [i]Yeah, you tell those people in wheelchairs to walk![/i]

The kind of fit person who would use this to walk everywhere to the point that they would get out of shape is not the kind of person that would stay fit regardless.

[QUOTE=NightmareX91;47477929] [i]Yeah, you tell those people in wheelchairs to walk![/i][/QUOTE] Thats not what i meant, i mean just to avoid us from becoming the people on Wall e

I walk all day at work, averaging 25,000 plus steps according to google fit, I'd wear one. Especially if it makes standing all day easier too.

My disabled mother could really use these

Keep in mind that it just decreases the energy used in walking. If you can't walk, you probably still can't with this exoskeleton.

[QUOTE=Smallheart;47476178]This is freaking rad, could be applied to lots of different venues to help people in need. Sort of related, I went to high-school with a guy who's got a startup business going where he accepts scans of people's limbs and makes extremely affordable 3D-printed prosthetics. Most common prosthetics cost upwards of like $10k, he offers a flat rate of $300 for his. Really neat how technology is allowing more of these things to be accessible.[/QUOTE] My company actually does this as well, we work with a company called e-nabled. If anyone here has a 3d printer please look into it, you can change a kids life for a very small investment.

[QUOTE=AWarmMoose;47476200]We're all going to turn into the Wall-e people. :([/QUOTE] Not really. I can see this being used in the military more then your average consumer [editline]9th April 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=FingerSpazem;47477856]Sad how your first thought is military when giving it to the disabled doesn't even cross your mind.[/QUOTE] It looks like this thing doesn't magically make people walk. Instead it reduces the effort required

This is such a simple invention, it makes you wonder how the blazes it took until now to discover. Like I'm kind of skeptical this is really a new thing, it probably just failed to attract attention like 50 years ago or more. I mean it's literally just a spring mechanism. Sure, a rather well-tuned and well-researched spring mechanism but still just a spring mechanism.

[QUOTE=Drury;47489340]This is such a simple invention, it makes you wonder how the blazes it took until now to discover. Like I'm kind of skeptical this is really a new thing, it probably just failed to attract attention like 50 years ago or more. I mean it's literally just a spring mechanism. Sure, a rather well-tuned and well-researched spring mechanism but still just a spring mechanism.[/QUOTE] It seems most people in this thread missed that it improves walking efficiency by just seven percent. It's a research project meant to inform powered assistance research, not a viable assistive technology on its own.

[QUOTE=Drury;47489340]This is such a simple invention, it makes you wonder how the blazes it took until now to discover. Like I'm kind of skeptical this is really a new thing, it probably just failed to attract attention like 50 years ago or more. I mean it's literally just a spring mechanism. Sure, a rather well-tuned and well-researched spring mechanism but still just a spring mechanism.[/QUOTE] The weird thing is, reading the thread title, I immediately though of something similar to whats in the video, but then i thought "Nah it can't be that simple can it" as well as dismissing it thinking that a spring would mean you use more energy

The spring absorbs energy as you put your foot down and then exerts it to help you with lifting it. It's a bit similar to reactive brakes in trains and trams that turn kinetic energy from braking back into electricity and return it into overhead wire. Grab energy where not needed and release it when it is. [QUOTE=catbarf;47489385]It seems most people in this thread missed that it improves walking efficiency by just seven percent. It's a research project meant to inform powered assistance research, not a viable assistive technology on its own.[/QUOTE] 7% doesn't sound like a lot, but it may feel like a world of difference in practice, as well as potentially being barely noticeable. Hard to judge from here, either way, yes this just a prototype, more of a proof that human gait isn't perfect and can be enhanced like so. Still neat.

Reminds me of some kind of article that said skipping was not only far more energy efficient than walking, but also more pleasant and enjoyable. However for some reason, skipping is seen as childish and stupid and nobody does it.

Well you're practically flying! [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmwBw10RmLs[/media]