4 ms·

Robotic "SuperLimbs" could help moonwalkers recover from falls

14 points by LorenDB 2y ago

deadbabe 2y ago
I’m having a hard time imagining what it feels like for gravity to be 1/6 of earth, yet inertia to be the same. Is there some way to approximate this on Earth?
- pulvinar 2y ago
  Being underwater with the right weighting is a rough approximation, as used by astronauts for training. Parabolic flight is better, and can be done at 1/6 g too. NASA tested a lunar wheelbarrow that way.
  - kajkojednojajko 2y ago
    SmarterEveryDay has a great video with astronauts training in this fashion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiZd5yBWvYY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiZd5yBWvYY
- Retric 2y ago
  Slow movement while partially submerged can be close, you get resistance to acceleration, but it’s much easier to hold a squat or something. For running, jumping etc having an Aerial Harness set to take 80% of your weight is similar and lets you trivially do 1 handed pull-ups or crazy aerobatic jumps. Though the harness and wires may add some momentum and feel pressure from the harness. A lesser though more accessible version being a bungee workout, which can even be fun for people with extreme obesity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIQBBUee_2E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIQBBUee_2E Ultimate is one of those zero gravity aircraft parabolic dives that’s aiming for lunar gravity not zero G. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecOi5gJTMl4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecOi5gJTMl4
tjpnz 2y ago
Why not apply this to a problem we have everyday on this planet? The elderly frequently experience falls in independent living situations and there are cases of them being on the ground for hours before anyone finds them.
- perilunar 2y ago
  Better to have an exoskeleton that keeps you balanced and prevents falls than one that helps you get back up after a fall (when you may be injured).
00N8 2y ago
I thought the big concern around falling down on the moon is the risk of sharp rocks & abrasive dust damaging your spacesuit, not that it's hard to get up. Still, these 'SuperLimbs' sound like a cool technology that will probably be useful for something

14 points by LorenDB 2y ago

I’m having a hard time imagining what it feels like for gravity to be 1/6 of earth, yet inertia to be the same. Is there some way to approximate this on Earth?

pulvinar 2y ago
Being underwater with the right weighting is a rough approximation, as used by astronauts for training. Parabolic flight is better, and can be done at 1/6 g too. NASA tested a lunar wheelbarrow that way.
- kajkojednojajko 2y ago
  SmarterEveryDay has a great video with astronauts training in this fashion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiZd5yBWvYY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiZd5yBWvYY
Retric 2y ago
Slow movement while partially submerged can be close, you get resistance to acceleration, but it’s much easier to hold a squat or something. For running, jumping etc having an Aerial Harness set to take 80% of your weight is similar and lets you trivially do 1 handed pull-ups or crazy aerobatic jumps. Though the harness and wires may add some momentum and feel pressure from the harness. A lesser though more accessible version being a bungee workout, which can even be fun for people with extreme obesity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIQBBUee_2E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIQBBUee_2E Ultimate is one of those zero gravity aircraft parabolic dives that’s aiming for lunar gravity not zero G. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecOi5gJTMl4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecOi5gJTMl4

tjpnz 2y ago

Why not apply this to a problem we have everyday on this planet? The elderly frequently experience falls in independent living situations and there are cases of them being on the ground for hours before anyone finds them.

perilunar 2y ago
Better to have an exoskeleton that keeps you balanced and prevents falls than one that helps you get back up after a fall (when you may be injured).

00N8 2y ago

I thought the big concern around falling down on the moon is the risk of sharp rocks & abrasive dust damaging your spacesuit, not that it's hard to get up. Still, these 'SuperLimbs' sound like a cool technology that will probably be useful for something