Forget E-Bikes, the Dnsys Exoskelton Motorizes Your Body
It's a brave new world, and with the coming of each day it feels we've fallen deeper into some strange dream. The stuff of science fiction is alive and well, as beautifully displayed by this latest tech from the firm Dnsys.
With successfully funded Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns, Dnsys has brought the X1 lightweight human exoskeleton to market, meant to assist in all forms of bipedal locomotion. The design is delightfully simple, and relies on two hip-located motors to drive the system.
Made from aerospace-grade aluminum and carbon fiber, the exoskeleton weighs around 1.6 kilograms, including all motors and batteries. They're quick to mention that this is not a medical device, but instead intended for recreation.
The motor is impressively small, considering the power output.
For reference, this is the Minicheetah.
If you can put aside the fear of an uncaring robotic system malfunctioning and accidentally dislocating your hip, there are some serious performance gains to be had. Promising a peak power of 900w (1.2 Hp) and a maximum speed of 27 km/h, the X1 can turn your weak little jog into a terrifying sprint in no time. It has a range of assist modes, as well as a one-press boost that gives you maximum output for a brief burst.
All that, and a reduced heart rate.
You can edit and control modes via a very sleek-looking app, much like the motor controls on any given eMTB system. The app allows you to monitor battery life, get an estimate of calories saved, and analyze your range of motion.
In terms of sizing, it's a one-size-for-all affair, though the range of adjustment does seem to be adequate, ranging from 75 to 105cm. If you splurge for the X1 Carbon Pro, you can add additional waist links to accommodate a larger fit. There are BOA ratchets on the thighs to cinch things down, and the waist has a rough link-driven fit with a fine adjust.
As to how the X1 intuits your desired output and motion, Dnsys is touting the use of AI computing to gauge your effort. "We utilize a small neural network to predict muscle forces in real-time using time-series data obtained from magnetic encoders and IMUs. When performing inference, we only require data from the exoskeleton's proprioception sensors, conducting the inference locally without collecting or uploading any user data."
Accidental almost Black Flag logo.
Early beta-test reviewers have also mentioned use of the X1 on bicycles, which certainly piqued my interest. Imagine, you can effectively turn any bike in your garage into an ebike, not via modification to the vehicle itself but instead by strapping this device to your meatbody.
Dnsys, if you're reading this, let it be known that I'd love to test one of these. Please.
Author Info:
Bellingham, WA, United States
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And to all the haters saying I need to earn my views, I work just as hard as I did back when I was an acoustic hicker, I just go further.
It's also a great training tool for competitive/professional hikers trying to maximize their skills training. I can do two or three times the technical descent s I used to do on my acoustic hikes.
Total convert, never looking back. You all are mad because you just can't afford one.
This is proof positive of an article simply for negative engagement.
There is no relevance to cycling at all here
You're straying a touch too far here.
Nurse: A respirator. It breathes for him.
Homer: And here I am using my own lungs like a sucker.
My dad has a heart condition, so I see value in what they are trying to sell. However if I were to use this because I just don't want to break a sweat while hiking I might want to consider simply not going for a hike since I don't have any actual reason for needing assistance.
And let's get the whole Exosuit involved for some powerlifting!!
WALL-E is the future. Sit in your hoverchair and just tell the robot bike where to ride while streaming the GoPro...
I jest, mostly. The machine has always been part of the deciding factor in mountain bike racing and so adding a motor is just another part of a different class of machines to compete with. But... mostly it's to try and sell more Ebikes!
Also, the audio dubbing on that video is seamless.
But we can all agree, this is vaporware, at best?
A company that can’t afford to get solid audio during their product promo shoot, or even afford a real person to record the crappy voice dubbing, or even write grammatically correct copy for the AI to read, is in no way gonna be able to deliver on these promises.
At best, it offers minimal applicable power with lots and lots of chafing and some pissed off early adopters.
Uh no thank you cyborg freak!
Can't run though, he is too fast.
I was all in until this
This is way more cringe-worthy marketing-wank than "Slaybar". "Aerospace-grade" means _nothing_. For example, 6061 aluminum alloy used to be the peak of aerospace materials. Birch plywood was once a state-of-the-art material for structural use in airplanes.
E-pants have been a running joke in my circle for years now. Stoked to see its finally happening hahha. Pedal bikes (and walking) ain’t dead!!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipRslDOIG5g
One of my fundamental problems is my main source of exercise is walking the dog. I have tried jogging walks, but her suddem stops are painful. And if I constantly jog she doesn't pee and pooh. Overall I want it to increase my resistance so I get the same exercise as a jog, and near the end of the walk run with her and tire her out.