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Domain: springwalker.com

Stories and comments across the archive that link to springwalker.com.

Comments · 8

  1. Re:Liberal use of a clue stick is indicated... by x0 · · Score: 1 · on Prosthetic-Limbed Runner Disqualified from Olympic Games

    I think we're at the point of comparing vastly different types of work. While you do make the point that you are comparing an extreme, I would say that this would be the leg prosthetic (rough) equivalent of the mechanical advantage a bicycle provides.

    Logically, the bicycle provides a mechanical advantage. You trade an increased rate or motion (pedaling) for short gearing uphill, or more muscle input for taller gearing (more speed) on level terrain. Both of which take advantage of levers (pedals) and gearing to optimize your work over time for a particular workload. In addition, the whole character of your motion is modified to remove the work put into moving your body in the vertical plane a runner contends with.

    My argument is this: The current state of un-powered prostetics are not augments to human musculature.

  2. Re:Dupe? by moorley · · Score: 3, Informative · on Powered Exoskeleton Legs
    You're talking about the Springwalker. I always like that big hurking exoskeleton. I heard that it was going to be developed with SoloFlex but that was 4-5 years ago. Site is still up. Anybody know if there are any new developments on it?

    Short of it being used for a Burningman Project, I think it's life is over. (Sniff...)

  3. Power! by Chagatai · · Score: 2, Insightful · on Powered Exoskeletons In The Near Future?
    While I would definitely want any sort of exoskeleton or bionic assistance, you have to wonder what risk there would be to the user if a power outage or surgeoccurred. I remember Discover did a piece on this about 8 years ago with a segment about the SpringWalker, and they used the same picture of that engineer with the robot arm. In his left hand (hard to see), he has a master kill switch in the event the power or hydraulics goes off, as it could snap his arm. Just imagine if the G.I. Joe knockoff in the upper picture had a power surge with one of his legs. I wonder how this would factor in with the overall safety of the suit. Can't have Private Parts sprinting 80 mph into a wall, now.

    --Chag

  4. Whoa, read the rest of the issue by John+Jorsett · · Score: 1 · on Not A Bat, Nor A Plane, But A Vertical Keyboard

    The keyboard is ok, but the rest of the issue is what got my attention, particularly the SpringWalker. I wish I'd heard of this publication before this. Neato stuff.

  5. SpringWalker by nedron · · Score: 1 · on Gas-Powered Shoes?

    Hmmm, I think the SpringWalker looks like more fun (and safer).

  6. Practical example: the springwalker (link) by TheDullBlade · · Score: 2 · on Exoskeletons for Human Performance Augmentation

    Ladies and Gentlemen (and trolls), I give you the SpringWalker Not a bad base to build from, eh?

  7. Yeah, I remember... by cr0sh · · Score: 1 · on Exoskeletons for Human Performance Augmentation

    You beat me to it! But, the article you point out is actually about the SpringWalker device, and not the Hardiman.

    For those of you who don't know, the Hardiman was built by GE researchers (one is actually pretty famous, though I can't remember his name off the top of my head right now) looking into body amplification techniques for the Navy. The suit they created was IMMENSE. I haven't been able to find any pictures on the net of this suit, but I do have a book or two that shows it (along with the four legged truck that was also built). Wait - maybe the guy's name was Ralph Mosser, or something like that. Anyhow, you have to see pictures of this device to believe it. It looks as good as the exoskeletons depicted in Aliens. I might just take a scan from my book and post it here later...

    This device was a good first step. The SpringWalker is another.

    We can also see exoskeleton features in the technology and design that went into Robosaurus, as well as in the devices (and controls) used by Survival Research Laboratories (SRL).

    I figure we'll see privately developed exoskeletons (or mobile armor, or mechs, or whatever you want to call 'em) long before the military versions (and I bet SRL beats them all!).

  8. Not for me by Ledge+Kindred · · Score: 2 · on One-person Air Scooters
    I'd rather have a Springwalker!

    And I bet they'll be hitting the market about the same time....

    -=-=-=-=-