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Project Amplify: Powered footwear for running and walking

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Re: Project Amplify: Powered footwear for running and walking

#11

Post by treis »

SilverElfin wrote: post #2

I don’t get the point. Maybe there’s a therapy angle? But otherwise if someone wanted to go faster they could go to a bike, e-bike, or car.

Lots of people walk long ways for different reasons. I'm very dubious that this will ever be a thing but there's definitely a market.

Re: Project Amplify: Powered footwear for running and walking

#12

Post by ternus »

jvdvegt wrote: post #8

I'd like such technology very much, as I lack about 80% of my calf muscles due to an auto immune disease. I can't walk without a (non powered) exo skeleton, and perhaps with these I can walk stairs again.

Wow, that's awful. Have you looked into the existing powered exoskeletons? Or are those too hip/thigh focused to help?

Re: Project Amplify: Powered footwear for running and walking

#14

Post by tavavex »

SilverElfin wrote: post #2

I don’t get the point. Maybe there’s a therapy angle? But otherwise if someone wanted to go faster they could go to a bike, e-bike, or car.

Bikes and cars are modes of transport. They're optimal for getting around at high speeds, but when you don't need them, you need to leave them somewhere, they're large and not very convenient. On the other hand, these are shoes. You put them on in the morning and can wear them anywhere outside, they're not separate things you need to handle. I can definitely see demand for this from people who walk all day long for their jobs (warehouse workers, military, etc) or hikers/runners who want to stretch their endurance over a larger distance.

Re: Project Amplify: Powered footwear for running and walking

#15

Post by chaostheory »

SilverElfin wrote: post #2

I don’t get the point. Maybe there’s a therapy angle? But otherwise if someone wanted to go faster they could go to a bike, e-bike, or car.

I see this more applicable to the military and law enforcement, but yes also for the elderly and disabled. Yeah, the opening line with “athletes” doesn’t make sense.

There are already powered leg augmentations on the market for $3-5k, but these are much smaller.

Re: Project Amplify: Powered footwear for running and walking

#16

Post by tavavex »

onion2k wrote: post #5
SilverElfin wrote: post #2

I don’t get the point. Maybe there’s a therapy angle? But otherwise if someone wanted to go faster they could go to a bike, e-bike, or car.

I want to see a competitive sports event like the Olympics where this sort of technology is allowed.

I wish that existed too. Not just an event to see how far the human body can be pushed naturally, but also another one to see how far it can be pushed, period. There would still need to be regulation to ensure that people didn't actively harm themselves (like extreme doping or something), but other augmentations like exoskeletons and such would be allowed.

Re: Project Amplify: Powered footwear for running and walking

#19

Post by PuissantSheep »

For those of you who don’t “see the point” of a device like this, what you are failing to see is your own personal use case.

The use cases I can see for others are “anyone who might find this useful or fun”. To me, that means

1) people with medically compromised joints who would like to engage in experiences that their bodies don’t currently allow.

2) people who want to challenge themselves by making these joint additions add more resistance.

3) people who want more strength and/or power for any reason. “Fun” is a valid use case.

These joint enhancements exist for hips, knees, and with this, now ankles. The logical end for this is a powered exoskeleton (and, after that, power armor).

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