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There are such devices that provide a similar energy storage/release benefit.

http://www.powerskip.de/photogallery.html
http://www.poweriser.cn/pictures.asp

As you can see, they are designed for entertainment; but it is entirely conceivable that they could be tuned to improve running speed.

It can become cheap, once enough people go for it. I'm surprised at how many naysayers are on this forum, possibly conditioned to believe that spiderman villains are villainous because they didn't get their superpowers "naturally".

There may be benefits to complete prosthetic bodies which have capabilities superior to flesh and blood which would make limb regeneration a less preferred alternative.

In the article Jeffrey Morgan notes that students at Brown have pierced noses. Limbs and skins impervious to flame, cold, bullets and infection might be the next big thing in body modification. Also, if you break your leg, you can take it down to the shop and get it fixed while the mechanic loans you a courtesy leg to get around in.

As for concerns to losing your humanity, it's not who you are inside, but what you do that counts.

Finally, is it just me, or does everyone want to strap on a combination of the Hugh Herr Catapult and the german built Powerskip mechanical jumping boot and go street racing?

however, the Deaf community generally shuns them as their equivalent of "tools of Satan." I'm sorry, but I don't get it... I could understand that maybe a small minority doesn't want these implants for some vague reasons, but calling it a tool of Satan???

There do exist tools of Satan. Pornography, especially child pornography, date rape drugs, and nuclear bombs come to mind, as do vaccines derived from aborted babies. Devices used to correct handicaps are not inherently evil, provided they are produced by good means and for good ends.

There are complex psychological factors at work when attempting to change one's physical abilities, whether its an olympian working out or an amputee trying on a new prosthesis. I'm completely unqualified to discuss, or even know, those complexities.

I'm not an amputee, and can't speak for them. On the other hand, were I to lose my legs tomorrow, I would likey consider an attempt to modify something like these:
http://www.powerskip.de/mainpage.html
or these:
http://www.stiltwerks-inc.com/product/velocity.htm l
(for instance) to suit my use.

What looks like a toy could be a very real augmentation for someone who would already need artificial legs, depending on their individual circumstances. Of course, I would expect it to be more difficult to get insurance authorization... But then I sit one one side of the fence, and My POV is not that of an amputee.

Having seen my grandparents go through hearing loss, I know they had to go through a bothersome hearing selection readjustment when they began to use hearing aides. I don't look forward to the process. I would reconsider, though, if I were offered an earbud to talk to Jade, though, or even a semipermanent link to a multifeatured cell phone or musical device (in fact I did use these for a long while.)

Have people gone completely bonkers?
If you have to ask, you may have gone with them. If you can look at the variety of responses (both lay and governmentally sponsored) to recent natural disasters, international terrorism, prisons (both foreign and domestic), and the political machines hovering over vast nations and honestly say that you think this world is completely fair, just, honest, and sane, you ain't sane.

Powerskip A bit spendy, but less than a segway, and hella cool.

Powerskips - supercharged pogo-stilts

I think these would be good for special forces. Run faster than a Seqway 25 mph vs. 12(?) and jump 2 meters in the air. These things seriously kick ass.

Don't forget my favorite, the famous "Sproing Boots"!

Not only not forgotten, but avaliable to buy - You -have- to see the videos on the photo gallery page :)

Forget SpringWalker and these other technologies that aren't available yet--you can get a pair of PowerSkip boots today. These were posted on Slashdot last April 1st, and many people thought they were a joke; they aren't, and you can be out running around in them and jumping cars for around $800-1000.

Then you want to go to the english portion of http://www.powerskip.de

I think this is the "home" site.

Looks like fun, but I don't think big 6'5" guys can flip flip too well. :)

Well, at first I thought this was a joke, but it *appears* they might be legit, or at least put a lot of effort into the joke... :) http://www.powerskip.de/

It's definitely not cheap, though -- check out the prices...
http://www.powerskip.de/pricelist.html
850 Euros =~ $750 USD

Not to mention that you have to start buying new soles for it every 50 hours of use, and a new spring every 100 hours of use...

http://www.powerskip.de/function.html

Cool idea (if it's legit) but kinda pricey...

Well, at first I thought this was a joke, but it *appears* they might be legit, or at least put a lot of effort into the joke... :) http://www.powerskip.de/

It's definitely not cheap, though -- check out the prices...
http://www.powerskip.de/pricelist.html
850 Euros =~ $750 USD

Not to mention that you have to start buying new soles for it every 50 hours of use, and a new spring every 100 hours of use...

http://www.powerskip.de/function.html

Cool idea (if it's legit) but kinda pricey...

Well, at first I thought this was a joke, but it *appears* they might be legit, or at least put a lot of effort into the joke... :) http://www.powerskip.de/

It's definitely not cheap, though -- check out the prices...
http://www.powerskip.de/pricelist.html
850 Euros =~ $750 USD

Not to mention that you have to start buying new soles for it every 50 hours of use, and a new spring every 100 hours of use...

http://www.powerskip.de/function.html

Cool idea (if it's legit) but kinda pricey...

Powerskip Website

These things look retarded.

-Ryan

Why not just go straight to the manufacturer? http://www.powerskip.de/