Comments on: Bionic Man Becomes Reality with Exoskeleton

By: Jerad Kaliher

Jerad Kaliher — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 06:37:45 +0000

@Drew Smith, you know, I’ve thought of that myself a few times. If you have a major disability a power suit could make you extremely reliant. Is it a chance for people to let themselves go? I think absolutely yes.

I’ve often wondered if we will rely so much on technology to solve our problems that we will become a little less human for it.

The idea of a human body sitting at a desk all day every day of our lives contradicts our evolution. We are not built for it. Just like we are not built for overabundance of food and alcohol.

We need a “jump” in evolution. Perhaps technology is just our way of providing it?

By: Drew Smith

Drew Smith — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 01:42:11 +0000

I was just thinking today…

While we’ve been saying this would be terrific for people with disabilities and the like, I realized that the issue that nobody would consider is how people with (or even without) disabilities could become reliant on their “power” suit.

How prone we are to abuse and overuse is hugely apparent in, at the very least, U.S. society. We all know about the obesity problems stemming from overconsumption, much less drug and alcohol issues. There’s no reason to doubt that before long groups of people would feel inadequate without the power that they rely on their suits to provide, especially if these suits are facilitating a need that their body cannot provide.

It’s sort of like how we drive cars short distances rather than walking. The ease and comfort displace the inclination to conserve energy.

By: Neece

Neece — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:15:03 +0000

This is amazingly cool. I agree that it would be neat to see this spread outside the military.

By: Butch

Butch — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 03:31:04 +0000

This is awesome! I sure hope it finds its way outside the military.

By: Power Armor « Yes

Power Armor « Yes — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:02:15 +0000

[...] by samholland under cyberpunk, dystopia, future, futurismo, power armor, tech, war From Bust A Change, again – go there and check out the video, its totally worth watching – I just couldn’t pass [...]

By: Jerad Kaliher

Jerad Kaliher — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 01:22:17 +0000

@Sam Holland, yeah Starship Troopers was the first thing that came to my mind when they panned to those overlay suits. As of now the aim isn’t that big of a problem. You see that when he isn’t using the bionic arm it moves out of the way naturally. That’s going to be a hindrance either way, I guess.

As for civilian uses I sure hope that there are a few. Let’s just say that I can’t wait to get mine. I wonder if they will have the same capacity or would be toned down to be the strength of a normal human for disabled people? Can you imagine having to hack your grandpa’s suit to become super strong?

By: Sam Holland

Sam Holland — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 01:17:14 +0000

The bulletproof body armor suits are totally Heinlen-era starship troopers come to life. I don’t know how well they could aim rifles with that thing, but maybe guns could simply be mounted onto the armor… I used to fantasize about this stuff when I was a kid, and now its coming true. Needless to say, I find this really remarkable. It could have quality civilian uses – walking suits for disabled people isn’t out of the question by any means. This stuff would be absolutely terrifying on the battlefield. At least on a large, flat plain of a battlefield. Maybe the enhanced body armor would function well for city fighting… The world becomes more Sci-Fi every day.

By: Jerad Kaliher

Jerad Kaliher — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:17:19 +0000

@Drew Smith, unfortunately I’d say it’s right outside of the acceptable limits as a birthday present. Good news is I do have a delicious In-N-Out double double with your name on it.

By: Drew Smith

Drew Smith — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:11:14 +0000

I wonder how much one costs? It’s not too late for you guys to pool some money for my birthday present!