Ankle exo - 7% less energy required

[LandSailor]

An unpowered ankle exoskeleton that (apparently) reduces the required energy to walk by 7%.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science ... able-tech/

Its a new idea so bring on all the usual knee-jerk negativity lol....this is the internet after all.
It would only work on a flat surface, would be dangerous and unstable in rocky terrain, we need more exercise not less, could end up weakening leg muscles, its been done before - this is nothing new..blah blah.

[beean]

That would only work on a flat surface, it looks really unstable in rocky terrain. Plus we're becoming more sedentary, we need all the leg muscle strength we can get. Is this even a new idea?


They should send me a pair. Looks like a good product, I need all the help I can get.

[MrWalker]

It would only work on a flat surface, would be dangerous and unstable in rocky terrain,...

In their video they show someone walking up steps so it may not need a smooth surface and they suggest using them on the Appalachian trail. But on a lot of tracks those heel extension would catch in the undergrowth and walking down steps would be a problem. Maybe I could just use them going up hills.

[north-north-west]

They should be building something like this for knees.

[slparker]

Check out the date that the research article came out...

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/va ... 14288.html

[LandSailor]

Check out the date that the research article came out...

Thanks sl! It took a little bit of research but we have found a potential angle for discrediting this new idea! (depending which date you choose). Further research is needed to ascertain if this is just a coincidence or not

Received 11 December 2014 | Accepted 06 February 2015 | Published online 01 April 2015