Power Suit Promises Super-Human Strength

anthemaniac writes "LiveScience is reporting out of NextFest on a Japanese-built power suit that amplifies the strength of its wearer. The onboard computer is hooked up to sensors that monitor natural movements, then it inflates cuffs to boost lifting power. The Power Assist Suit could be used by hospital workers to move heavy patients, the researchers say."

Comments

Knock knock. Who's there? U.S. Military

[BadAnalogyGuy]

While the application of strengh-enhancing "suits" to care centers like hospitals and nursing homes may be unique, the idea has been around forever in both Sci-fi and military research programs. Battery life is the main issue for real suits, and this one with 30 minutes of power is no different. Unlike military applications, though, 30 minutes ought to be plenty to assist in the movement of heavier patients or simply augmenting the strength of waif-like Japanese nurses. In the battle theater, though, 30 minutes is woefully short.

Other possible applications is in the rescue operations in the aftermath of a large earthquake or hurricane. We use tools to augment our strength all the time, from the fork to the forklift, we use these tools to do things that we just can't do ourselves.

I welcome our new Japanese mecha suit nurse overlords.

Re:Knock knock. Who's there? U.S. Military

[lymond01]

Well, for military purposes, the suit doesn't really need to be small, or even fit through a standard door frame. Like a post above, Starship Troopers (the book not that...other thing) had a suit that made them over 7 feet tall and could carry all kinds of ordinance. Probably room for more than 30 minutes of battery life in a suit like that. Just need to build the motor with enough power to lift the giant duracells. (Possibly solar cells for desert runs?)

Missed the most important one of all...

[Kadin2048]

1. What could possibly go wrong?
2. I for one welcome our new power-suited overlords!
3. Does it transform into a semitruck?
4. Put Rico's Roughnecks on standbye.
5. Now we need to find a whining Japanese teenage boy who will be required to share living quarters with lots of hot girl and who be the only one who can pilot the mech to save the world.
6. All hail our giant cyborg President! May death come quickly to his enemies!

7. But does it run Linux?

Well, does it?

The difference between Japan and the US

[mrjb]

The Japanese first think of the suit as a way to help (nurses) in hospitals.

As usual, the first American thought is how this could be used in war.
I find this a bit tiring at least. Don't you guys see how brainwashed you are?

Re:The difference between Japan and the US

[RzUpAnmsCwrds]

And the ever-righteous European is the first to turn a story about an augmented strength device into a slam on the US.

Anyone who has seen Aliens or played MechWarrior can see the obvious potential military uses of this device.

Two other ways of achieving super-strength...

[rinkjustice]

no suit required.

Glycogen Super-Compensation carbload, which basically means glycogen stores in the muscles and elsewhere are first stripped using a ketogenic-style diet and primed with light resistance training, then followed by a massive refeeding of high-glycemic carbohydrates for 24 to 48 hours. The result of this supercompensation of glycogen stores is huge muscles and a massive surplus of strength and endurance. I kid you not.

Enhanced Neural Drive which is basically tricking the central nervous system into thinking the upcoming load you will bear if heavier than it really is, thus making it feel light.

There are probably others I can think of, but I just woke up ;)