I don't know exactly why this is always the case, but why can't they incorporate some kind of composite material to emulate eh...well...skin? I'm not down playing how remarkable this product is, I would just like to see it in the form of something that doesnt look like it just walked off the set of star wars, no pun intended.
They either need to start putting some sort of prosthetic skin on these things, or convince Nike, Vans or just shoe companies in general to start making shoes that look like robotic feet, that way it all matches.
But MIT has been churning out some really great stuff recently, and this is a major step forward as far as prosthetic limbs go.
They never really said that it wouldn't fit in a shoe. Remember that these pictures are promotional pictures, therefore they're going to show the product. If they shoved it into a shoe you wouldn't be able to see the mechanics of it, which is what their promotion of it is all about. I'll bet it fits in a shoe just fine as long as there isn't a camera crew there trying to get pictures of it.
I see it being fairly simple to take a shoe and rip the sole off, then use velcro or something to attach the shoe to this so it looks relatively natural. Keep in mind, if you decrease the size a bit, you could theoretically just build a skin toned sleeve to fit over the thing. But unless you build this using the exact same mechanics as a real foot, you're never going to get something that doesn't look either robotic, or like there's something seriously malformed about your foot anyway. Personally, I'd rather have the prosthetic so that it's obvious that it's a prosthetic so people can confirm what is wrong and go about their lives, rather than continuing to stare cause they can't figure out why the one foot doesn't quite look right.
Why would you want to cover it up with a shoe or something if it looks like a sweet robot. I predict robotic limbs will be come fashionable soon. People will even wear clothes that look like robotic limbs to be cool. Think ... Nintendo PowerGlove, but better.
I personally wouldn't want to cover up my robocop foot. Nobody knows it's not enhanced to launch me higher in a jump or kick through their shin.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jason @ Jul 24th 2007 2:10PM
I don't know exactly why this is always the case, but why can't they incorporate some kind of composite material to emulate eh...well...skin? I'm not down playing how remarkable this product is, I would just like to see it in the form of something that doesnt look like it just walked off the set of star wars, no pun intended.
Natedog @ Jul 24th 2007 2:13PM
I've wondered the same thing. They could at least make it fit in a shoe.
derek @ Jul 24th 2007 2:25PM
Well I'm guessing it has something to do with the sensors... but I don't know.
StrangeBum @ Jul 24th 2007 2:49PM
I don't get it either.
They either need to start putting some sort of prosthetic skin on these things, or convince Nike, Vans or just shoe companies in general to start making shoes that look like robotic feet, that way it all matches.
But MIT has been churning out some really great stuff recently, and this is a major step forward as far as prosthetic limbs go.
MIT FTW!
mattnico @ Jul 24th 2007 3:25PM
They never really said that it wouldn't fit in a shoe. Remember that these pictures are promotional pictures, therefore they're going to show the product. If they shoved it into a shoe you wouldn't be able to see the mechanics of it, which is what their promotion of it is all about. I'll bet it fits in a shoe just fine as long as there isn't a camera crew there trying to get pictures of it.
Grey Acumen @ Jul 24th 2007 4:30PM
I see it being fairly simple to take a shoe and rip the sole off, then use velcro or something to attach the shoe to this so it looks relatively natural. Keep in mind, if you decrease the size a bit, you could theoretically just build a skin toned sleeve to fit over the thing. But unless you build this using the exact same mechanics as a real foot, you're never going to get something that doesn't look either robotic, or like there's something seriously malformed about your foot anyway.
Personally, I'd rather have the prosthetic so that it's obvious that it's a prosthetic so people can confirm what is wrong and go about their lives, rather than continuing to stare cause they can't figure out why the one foot doesn't quite look right.
Sean @ Jul 24th 2007 5:03PM
Why would you want to cover it up with a shoe or something if it looks like a sweet robot. I predict robotic limbs will be come fashionable soon. People will even wear clothes that look like robotic limbs to be cool. Think ... Nintendo PowerGlove, but better.
I personally wouldn't want to cover up my robocop foot. Nobody knows it's not enhanced to launch me higher in a jump or kick through their shin.