Power Suit Promises Super-Human Strength 230
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."
Re:Knock knock. Who's there? U.S. Military (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Dull (Score:5, Insightful)
It may sound boring to you. Sounds like a really good idea to me...my mother, formerly a nurse, suffered a career-ending neck injury when she had to move a patient by herself in an understaffed nursing home. (The patient suffered from senile dementia, became combative, and she fell with the patient on top.)
After fifteen years, two surgeries, and various physical therapies, she still has significant pain and disability.
Sure, I want to trade in my Subaru for a mecha as much as any geek. But anything that prevents other nurses - the people who have the most impact on keeping you alive when you're hospitalized - from suffering a similar fate, sounds like a damn good idea to me.
'Elbow cuffs' (Score:5, Insightful)
I would think a system that covers the entire limb in questions would be far safer...
Re:Power suit (Score:5, Insightful)
This is from Japan. Their militaristic ambitions are still low (though perhaps on the rebound), while they have an aging popultion.
Re:Starship Troopers anyone? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Knock knock. Who's there? U.S. Military (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:What's the price tag? (Score:3, Insightful)
So from that perspective, robotic assists seem like the way to go. Sick, but true.
Re:'Elbow cuffs' (Score:4, Insightful)
Presumably a full-coverage powered suit would have a similar effect, compared to limited augmentation of a few joints or limbs. Of course, there is the additional problem that human joints aren't designed to move very fast for a sustained period of time, and driving them at high speed with external actuators may cause injury.
Re:The difference between Japan and the US (Score:2, Insightful)
Ooh Japan builds super-strong robots to help the hospital nurses => cute japs !!111
Some (supposedly) americans thought about military use as soon as they heard about it => WTF!!!11 sick-death mongering-carnage loving-americans !! You guys are soooo brainwashed !
Just relax. If something stimulates the imagination then it is bound to be talked about. I am sure this power suit has its origin in some kid's dream who wanted to have super strength to beat up all the bullies or simply to be a superhero. Not every idea which has its origin in the quest for power is without possibilitis of constructive use. Countless people have been inspired by sci-fi books and movies which depicted wars/fights/gadgets used for general fighting and violence but a lot of them ended up creating something which helps the weakest sections of humanity to this very day.
[for the hyper sensitive]No I have no particular feeling for or against Japanese,Korean, Mongolians, Americans or humans in general.
Re:SNL (Score:2, Insightful)