The Atlas Rope Ascender -- don't tell the Mystery Men

In a solid bid for "the most awesomest thing ever that you probably can't afford and have little use for" title of the year, Atlas Devices' has unveiled this new Rope Ascender thing which can propel a 250-pound load -- including your sorry hiney -- 600 feet into the air at a blistering 10 feet per second. The device weighs 20 pounds, and has a better power-to-weight ratio than a Dodge Viper, according to Nathan Ball, a 23-year-old grad student at MIT who spearheaded the project along with three other colleagues. Originally based on power drill batteries and weighing 25 pounds, the device was initially designed for a MIT competition, but has blossomed into the Atlas Devices company, which continues to develop and market the unit. Obviously, special ops and rescue workers are the natural target for this "reverse rappelling," but we're sure a wannabe superhero or three will figure out something a tad more interesting and / or ill-advised to do with the thing. Peep an action vid along with another pic after the break.

[Via gizmag]

Read - Atlas Devices official site
Read - Ask inventor Nathan Ball a question

[Mar$H @ Feb 15th 2007 3:56PM]

I wonder if this device can descend as fast as it climbs, I can imagine being in a situation where it needs to go much faster in reverse then they show on the video. Other then that, pretty sweet.

[Evan @ Feb 15th 2007 3:59PM]

ZOMG it's T3H B47M4N!!!!!!

[Gordy @ Feb 15th 2007 4:03PM]

Cool, does it come with the hat?

[Jypson @ Feb 15th 2007 4:09PM]

They should have actually shown it carying 250lbs vertical. Other than, pretty impressive / back breaking.

[Wonderboy @ Feb 15th 2007 4:10PM]

I need something at least 3 times as fast... I'm not really into masks so my getaway has to be fast enough to blur my facial features from onlookers.

It's also important that it's not TOO fast... I don't want the cute girl I've just saved to pass out from surprise or shock when it goes much faster than she expects. I need her to be the one holding on so I can focus on escaping with panache and style rather than holding her limp figure safe from the fall.

It's so hard to be a superhero. Gosh.

[Stephan @ Feb 15th 2007 4:14PM]

"OK men we need to get to the 30th floor put on your spidey suit"

After 20 floors
"Crap battery wasn't fully charged!"

[Matt @ Feb 15th 2007 4:55PM]

Where does he get those wonderful toys?

[squished18 @ Feb 15th 2007 6:03PM]

I wonder if this qualifies for the space elevator competition...

[matt @ Feb 15th 2007 6:05PM]

from the looks of it, it can only ascend. "Someone call the fire department, those crazy mit guys are stuck in the field house rafters again!"

[adam @ Feb 15th 2007 7:16PM]

From the Web site:

"The device can also be used remotely to make a controlled descent of a load, allowing supplied to be shuttled up and down the rope endlessly, in any situation."

[Mike @ Feb 15th 2007 7:23PM]

Descending is easy. Cut the rope.

[bryan @ Feb 15th 2007 11:29PM]

whooaaa! check out this other video of the Atlas Rope Ascender up the tower

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itWk8HlSgT4

[Rick @ Feb 16th 2007 8:09AM]

i'm sure DeWalt is gonna want their cut for using their drill and battery...

[Craig Shergold @ Feb 16th 2007 12:31PM]

That tie looks like it could get caught. Wouldn't want to do an Isadora Duncan (look her up) at 10 feet per second.

"I'm going straight to the top, yeah, up where the air is fresh and clean" - Tom Waits

[srw @ Feb 16th 2007 7:03PM]

A caver named Nevin Davis built a gasoline powered one back in the 1970's called "MAD" (Motorized Ascending Device). Never proved to be very practical however; better name though.

[kellen @ Feb 16th 2007 11:57PM]

holy crap, I went to high school with this guy :) Way to go Nate!

[Phred @ Feb 17th 2007 8:49PM]

Well of course it has a better power-to-weight ratio than a Viper; it's basically just a motor and gears. A Viper engine also has a better power to weight ratio than a Viper.
If it had seats, a body, air conditioning, and satellite radio, then I'd be impressed at that.

[Climbin Fool @ Feb 28th 2007 10:29PM]

Have yu guys seen the PowerQuick ascender. It came on the market about a year ago. I read an article about it on this site and saw a feature on the Discovery channel. Its awesome. Lifts 500 pounds and has a remote control. They have a web page at www.bonanzaproducts.com.