Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and North Carolina State University have developed an unpowered ankle exoskeleton that makes walking more efficient by taking a load off the calf muscles.
This device reduces the metabolic cost of walking by around 7%, which is equivalent to taking off a 10 pound backpack. What's interesting about this device is that it doesn't use batteries, electricity or other energy, yet offers energy savings similar to electrically powered exoskeletons.
While the human body is already a pretty efficient creation, figuring out ways to improve performance while minimizing energy expenditure and effort could have a lot of implications for a lot of sectors including healthcare, industrial labor and military. The light weight of the device and the relatively low cost of producing it makes it even more promising.
What's Driving This Trend
- Unpowered Exoskeletons
- Developing exoskeletons that do not rely on batteries or electricity opens up new possibilities for energy-efficient augmentation.
- Efficient Mobility Aids
- Creating innovative mobility aids that reduce the metabolic costs of walking can benefit healthcare, athletics, and everyday life.
- Lightweight Ergonomic Devices
- Creating ergonomic devices that do not add substantial weight can impact labor and military industries positively.
Who This Affects Most
- Healthcare
- Developing lightweight and energy-efficient mobility aids can improve patient health outcomes and overall quality of life.
- Industrial Labor
- Creating ergonomic devices that reduce physical strain can lead to improved work efficiency and reduced occupational injuries.
- Military
- Developing mobility aids that enhance soldier mobility in adverse environments can lead to better performance and mission success.
