This mechanical exoskeleton makes walking more efficient

J Thoendell stashed this in Tech

Source: http://www.theverge.com/2015/4/1/8326143...

For the first time, researchers can improve the way humans walk without using an external power source, according to a study published in Nature today. A boot-like exoskeleton that fits into a regular running shoe reduces the energetic costs of walking by about 7 percent. In short, it makes walking less tiring without resorting to a battery pack or a motor — something that could really come in handy for people who have trouble walking, or military personnel in remote areas.

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<p>For the first time, researchers can improve the way humans walk without using an external power source, according to <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/nature14288">a study </a>published in <em>Nature</em>
 today. A boot-like exoskeleton that fits into a regular running shoe 
reduces the energetic costs of walking by about 7 percent. In short, it 
makes walking less tiring without resorting to a battery pack or a motor
  — something that could really come in handy for people who have 
trouble walking, or military personnel in remote areas.</p>