3 ms·

How about current wheelchair users who would like to go hiking?

datameta 4y ago
In fact there are a number of invisible disabilities that take away a person's ability to hike. I was inspired to start 3D-printing with the goal of developing a lower body exoskeleton using "exotic" filaments that would make the suit less bulky, more rugged, and longer lasting than the admittedly amazing prototypes I've seen made of PLA.
MichaelZuo 4y ago
Most wheelchair users don't have the means to pay several hundred grand for such a system, nor the expensive daily maintenance it entails. Maybe when it's mass produced in the millions like cars it will be more affordable.
ad404b8a372f2b9 4y ago
Exoskeleton is an umbrella term that covers a wide variety of use-cases. For strain-relief and augmented-strength you've got the fairly simple and thin military rigs that work mechanically with a bunch of springs, sometimes a small backpack-like battery. For paraplegic wheelchair users, for example, you need an exoskeleton that fully replaces the functions of the legs: structure, balance, movement. That's much more complicated and much bigger. And the tech isn't there for consumer use, we're just starting to get there with Atlas. Beyond that you've got many wheelchair-binding disabilities that present unique challenges and require functionalities that are somewhere in between the two exos described above. A lot of wheelchair users who retain their ability to move their legs simply use braces to enhance their structural integrity and crutches for balance, but couldn't use a powered exoskeleton due to the injuries it might cause from sudden movements or ranges of motion that aren't adapted to their limitations.
prawn 4y ago
My guess is that current trails that aren't already accessible would struggle to support a machine of that size (secure cabin and then width of legs/etc), and there wouldn't be the demand for immediate upgrade of wilder trails. I've hiked a lot and can't remember the last time I saw a wheelchair on an accessible trail; prams are more common. National parks have transitioned from trying to attract people to the outdoors to now trying to minimise their impact on the environment, so I assume they'd be reluctant to upgrade non-accessible trails like that. Smaller parks might have smaller budgets. Then add risks on steep or exposed trails. My father in law is in a wheelchair (MS) and bumps/scraps doorways in our house. Move that to a trail on a slope and it would be very dangerous.
- ShredKazoo 4y ago
  I'm picturing a seat supported by 4 robotic legs and controlled by a handheld joystick. The seat could be self-balancing, self-stabilizing for a smooth ride, and have embedded cameras, LIDAR, etc. to prevent collisions. It basically walks itself, you just nudge the joystick to tell it which direction to walk in and it finds a smart path in that direction. Probably beyond the reach of current technology, and impractically expensive for the time being. But in the long run, I can imagine that the cost of giving every wheelchair user something like this might be cheaper than the cost of making buildings accessible. Most relevant for newly built cities I guess. Basically run the numbers on the cost of providing exoskeletons vs the cost of making everything ramp-accessible and providing accessible transport. The exoskeleton could sprint over to your house when you summoned it ;-) Possible disadvantage: shortage of exoskeletons during city festivals when everyone wants to go out and there are lots of out-of-town visitors?
jcpst 4y ago
We have state parks with these available: https://trackmastermobility.com/hunting-wheelchair/ https://trackmastermobility.com/hunting-wheelchair/

In fact there are a number of invisible disabilities that take away a person's ability to hike. I was inspired to start 3D-printing with the goal of developing a lower body exoskeleton using "exotic" filaments that would make the suit less bulky, more rugged, and longer lasting than the admittedly amazing prototypes I've seen made of PLA.

MichaelZuo 4y ago

Most wheelchair users don't have the means to pay several hundred grand for such a system, nor the expensive daily maintenance it entails. Maybe when it's mass produced in the millions like cars it will be more affordable.

ad404b8a372f2b9 4y ago

Exoskeleton is an umbrella term that covers a wide variety of use-cases. For strain-relief and augmented-strength you've got the fairly simple and thin military rigs that work mechanically with a bunch of springs, sometimes a small backpack-like battery. For paraplegic wheelchair users, for example, you need an exoskeleton that fully replaces the functions of the legs: structure, balance, movement. That's much more complicated and much bigger. And the tech isn't there for consumer use, we're just starting to get there with Atlas. Beyond that you've got many wheelchair-binding disabilities that present unique challenges and require functionalities that are somewhere in between the two exos described above. A lot of wheelchair users who retain their ability to move their legs simply use braces to enhance their structural integrity and crutches for balance, but couldn't use a powered exoskeleton due to the injuries it might cause from sudden movements or ranges of motion that aren't adapted to their limitations.

prawn 4y ago

My guess is that current trails that aren't already accessible would struggle to support a machine of that size (secure cabin and then width of legs/etc), and there wouldn't be the demand for immediate upgrade of wilder trails. I've hiked a lot and can't remember the last time I saw a wheelchair on an accessible trail; prams are more common. National parks have transitioned from trying to attract people to the outdoors to now trying to minimise their impact on the environment, so I assume they'd be reluctant to upgrade non-accessible trails like that. Smaller parks might have smaller budgets. Then add risks on steep or exposed trails. My father in law is in a wheelchair (MS) and bumps/scraps doorways in our house. Move that to a trail on a slope and it would be very dangerous.

ShredKazoo 4y ago
I'm picturing a seat supported by 4 robotic legs and controlled by a handheld joystick. The seat could be self-balancing, self-stabilizing for a smooth ride, and have embedded cameras, LIDAR, etc. to prevent collisions. It basically walks itself, you just nudge the joystick to tell it which direction to walk in and it finds a smart path in that direction. Probably beyond the reach of current technology, and impractically expensive for the time being. But in the long run, I can imagine that the cost of giving every wheelchair user something like this might be cheaper than the cost of making buildings accessible. Most relevant for newly built cities I guess. Basically run the numbers on the cost of providing exoskeletons vs the cost of making everything ramp-accessible and providing accessible transport. The exoskeleton could sprint over to your house when you summoned it ;-) Possible disadvantage: shortage of exoskeletons during city festivals when everyone wants to go out and there are lots of out-of-town visitors?

jcpst 4y ago

We have state parks with these available: https://trackmastermobility.com/hunting-wheelchair/ https://trackmastermobility.com/hunting-wheelchair/