Consumer-grade exoskeleton for walking assistance

[Travoli]

900 watts of walking assistance or resistance, depending on your use case. That's more than my electric bike. Youtube reviews seem to focus on hiking, running, jumping and resistance training, but I think they'd do even better marketing to seniors.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dnsys/dnsys-x1-exoskeleton-unleash-superhuman-athletic-potential

[rcjordan]

>seniors

*almost* pulled the trigger on that one

[Travoli]

>*almost*

What was the deal breaker?

[littleman]

Watching that second video was pretty helpful in understanding how it works.  I wasn't sure it would work at first glance because it transfers the force over to the hip and other leg.  I remember the one being developed for the US army had an exoskeleton that went all the way to the ground so that it carried some of the load.

BTW, did you guys see the Moonwalkers?  Kinda the same thing but different.
https://www.wired.com/video/watch/on-the-go-moonwalkers

[ergophobe]

No no no. Just no.

This would be potentially great for people who are elderly or in the early stages of MS or Parkinson's. So many worthy use cases, but superhiker is simply not one of them. There is nobody I know who runs and hikes trails who wants something like this.

If we wanted complex assistive technology, we would be cyclists ;-)

[rcjordan]

>deal breaker?

Odds are I would never bother using it even if it turned out to be solid tech (which I doubt).

[grnidone]

I think the meathead types will embrace the "resistance" mode to help them build up.  And, yes, people with disabilities such as chronic cancer or MS will use this as well.

[rcjordan]

<mind the gap>

I tried Hypershell's X-series exoskeleton at CES, and it was a fascinating experience | ZDNET

https://www.zdnet.com/article/i-tried-hypershells-x-series-exoskeleton-at-ces-and-it-was-a-fascinating-experience/

[ergophobe]

Somewhat related - airbags for elders

https://sairbagpro.com/

Looks like the technology has a ways to go though
https://youtu.be/ehl_L0MvQHY?si=V-VSMoL2GugIh2-y&t=491

[Travoli]

>Hypershell's X-series

Again marketed to hikers and athletes instead of the elderly walking assist market. Odd.

[ergophobe]

Again marketed to hikers and athletes instead of the elderly walking assist market. Odd.

I find that usually when you see a disconnect like that, if you can find a "Who We Are" or "About Our Team" photo, it all comes into focus instantly. I remember one app where the fonts were so small it was impossible to use and I thought, "Don't they have anyone over 40 on their team?" When I saw the "Our Team" photo, it looked like they had nobody over 30.

Meanwhile, from the article:  "This isn't for the hardcore athlete, but if you're someone that enjoys a quiet hike in Yosemite, then this is for you as the motors in the Hypershell will offer subtle assistance to your quadriceps and hips as you pace up or down the trail."

The only problem is that most trails in Yosemite and all trails that be considered "quiet" are in Wilderness (aka designated, legal, "capital W Wilderness" as opposed to just a wild place that we call wilderness) which, in a plain reading of the law, would make this illegal. Congress was very careful to address all mechanized transport, not just motor vehicles, which is why the act has been able to respond to new technologies like mountain bikes (which are also illegal in wilderness).

As Congressional Acts are generally a bit general, each agency has to come up with implementation documents. The USFS and BLM both use this language:

"Any contrivance for moving people or material in or over land, water, or air, having moving parts, that provides a mechanical advantage to the user, and that is powered by a living or nonliving power source."

https://winapps.umt.edu/winapps/media2/wilderness/toolboxes/documents/tools/Mechanization%20in%20Wilderness.pdf

So not only would this be a thing that seems more useful to elderly people or people with MS or any number of use cases, the one use case actually envisioned in the article is not allowed under the law.

To be fair, though, the company is based in China and we wouldn't expect them to understand US regulations, so the journalist is the one to blame for the Yosemite comment.

[ergophobe]

I Cheated A Marathon Using An Exoskeleton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYOAbCQ6DUo

TL;DW - he sets a PR and has to change batteries about 5 times.

[ergophobe]

It was just a matter of time:

Nike Unveils Project Amplify, the World's First Powered Footwear System for Running and Walking

This makes it easier for everyday athletes* to walk or run more often, for longer amounts of time, while having more fun — adding movement to their lives, extending their walking commute, or helping them to enjoy the run for another mile or two.

* If you have a body, you are an athlete.

https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/nike-project-amplify-official-images

https://www.foxnews.com/tech/nike-partners-robotics-company-create-worlds-first-motor-powered-footwear-system

Nike says this is not a system built to help elites in their training, but for everyday athletes looking to run at a 10-minute per mile pace rather than a 12-minute per mile pace

https://www.tomsguide.com/wellness/running/nikes-controversial-new-running-shoe-is-like-an-e-bike-for-your-feet-meet-project-amplify

[rcjordan]

"There's a sucker born every minute." ^{-attributed to P.T. Barnum}

[ergophobe]

I'm not a priori against these things. A friend has some heart issues and so riding a bike on the steep hills of our neighborhood would be out of the question. But with an e-bike, he gets out a lot more often than he did when his only option was walking. I think that's wonderful. And we can bike together.

What I think is absurd is marketing this to 12 min/mile runners so they can run 10 min/mile. Why would anyone care? And what is that buying you?