Sci-fi ‘catapult exoskeleton’ could let humans run 70 feet every SECOND using pogo-stick attachments
A WEARABLE pogo-stick-like running contraption could boost human running speeds by 50%.
US researchers working on the project hope to build the exoskeleton in the coming year.
The spring-based leg attachments could be used in sport or by the police and emergency services.
Such a contraption could propel humans at speeds of around 46 miles per hour.
This is equivalent to around 70 feet per second.
Speeds like this would help people rival the speeds of world-class cyclists.
The concept of attaching springs to legs has been around for a long time but springs on their own aren't that efficient.
"This shows us how far we can push the boundaries and what key features we should focus on to develop the new technology."
This research has been published in the journal .
What is an exoskeleton?
- An exoskeleton is an outershell that protects an animal
- Some animals have them naturally, like a crab, but humans do not
- The first exoskeleton device for humans was invented in the 1960s
- However, it was quite heavy and bulky
- A lot of exoskeleton devices are aimed at helping people who can't move on their own
- As technology improves so too does the quality of exoskeletons and what they can be used for
- In the future they could aid humans with more than just walking, they could help us run for hours without getting tired and have applications for the military
In other news, Dyson has vowed to produce 15,000 medical ventilators completely from scratch.
Nasa astronauts aboard the International Space Station will return to Earth next month despite the dangers posed by coronavirus.
And, scientists recently revealed what they believed to be the best places to hide in the event of a sudden global pandemic.
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