Innovative Japanese engineers created a wearable robotic tail designed to provide perfect balance for the elderly population

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[–] 39 points 6 months ago (2 children)

The suit? Oh, uh, it helps keep the tail attached.

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  • [–] 38 points 6 months ago (11 children)

    Well I'd need some kind of evidence that it works beyond a Japanese engineer just deciding that its a good idea.

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  • [–] 70 points 6 months ago* (10 children)

    Why? If it doesn't prevent falls, you still get a dragon tail.

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  • [–] 14 points 6 months ago (9 children)

    Because, its likely that for an elderly person simply adding an appendage to your frame is harmful.

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  • [–] 55 points 6 months ago (8 children)
  • [–] 8 points 6 months ago (7 children)
  • [–] 22 points 6 months ago (5 children)

    Its mounted to the hips.

    But if there were wings, I would accept the risk.

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  • [–] 4 points 6 months ago (4 children)

    Its mounted to the hips.

    So is your spine. The sacroiliac joint takes the hit in this case, so the L3-L4 disc.

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  • [–] 10 points 6 months ago (1 child)

    When I was 13 (basically 800 years ago mid 90s), I visited my friend in Luxembourg, whose family had moved there temporarily for his dad's job. I slipped on their front steps during an epic super soaker battle (I'd brought the water blasters with me because they weren't sold there) and hurt my lower back. Hours later, when I couldn't sleep, they took me to the ER. I don't recall all the details, but I very clearly remember the doc saying that something was wrong with my sacroliliac (I thought she said it was dislocated, but that may be a false memory). She injected me with a huge needle (to this day, my friend and his family won't tell me how big it was (still not sure why they were all allowed to see this do still a huge needle in my back)) and then physically massaged/shoved things back in place. I was told later that in my home US, docs would never have done that physical manipulation, meaning I'd have recovered in a wheelchair for a while.

    Anyway, I just saw you write "sacroliliac" and wanted to share my story about my sacroliliac. Believe it or not, it doesn't come up in conversation often.

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  • [–] 22 points 6 months ago*

    [sound of legions of furries reaching for their wallets]

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  • [–] 16 points 6 months ago*

    And then you use it to fight Kaiju.

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  • [–] 15 points 6 months ago

    I want a scorpion tail

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  • [–] 15 points 6 months ago (4 children)

    No because I'd forget how to balance without it. I'd just use a cane.

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  • [–] 7 points 6 months ago (2 children)

    It opens up a whole new tier of enshittification

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  • [–] 6 points 6 months ago (1 child)

    Body horror x Enshittification is something I really don't want to see. Cyber psychosis from CP2077 it's probably the most extreme form. But being lucid and losing control of your own body on account of "wellbeing technology" would be terrifying.

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    [–] 12 points 6 months ago

    no need to think, instant yes, and i dont have the slightest issue with balancing rn

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  • [–] 9 points 6 months ago (1 child)

    Is it just a tail or is it mechanised? A mechanised tail that I'd have some control over sounds awesome.

    Well, depending on where the controller goes...

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  • [–] 16 points 6 months ago (1 child)

    Maybe I'm crazy, but I feel like adding additional weight to someone who already is struggling with walking in their old age is not the best idea?

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  • [–] 8 points 6 months ago

    I'd put it on backwards and pretend it was my peen.

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  • [–] 6 points 6 months ago

    Mecha Pensioner

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  • [–] 6 points 6 months ago

    Can I put spikes on the end?

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  • [–] 10 points 6 months ago (4 children)
  • [–] 5 points 6 months ago (1 child)

    I suspect this will be alot more popular with furries than oldies.

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  • [–] 5 points 6 months ago (1 child)
  • [–] 4 points 6 months ago

    Yeah cuz our balance is shit

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  • [–] 4 points 6 months ago

    I want one now

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  • [–] 4 points 6 months ago (3 children)

    Is it like a prosthetic limb that you can learn to control? That’d be cool.

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  • [–] 6 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)

    Probably not. I'd assume it has a gyroscopic sensor in the base and will automatically try to compensate if it detects excessive tilting.

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 6 months ago (1 child)

    I'm not even sure if that could even be possible since unlike prosthetic limbs which can detect feedback from minor muscle movements in the stump, there isn't really anything like that for the tail since primates lost their tails so long ago, there just isn't anything there in the form of tail muscles.

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  • [–] 4 points 6 months ago
    [–] 2 points 6 months ago
    12 comments in c/greymuzzle@pawb.social view that post
    [–] 19 points 6 months ago (1 child)

    I don't even have to be old, I would wear that right now.

    And I would learn how to skateboard.

    And be the coolest kid from the 1990s.

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  • [–] 11 points 6 months ago (4 children)

    Where is the click to buy link this is upsetting

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  • [–] [S] 4 points 6 months ago (3 children)

    It's still a prototype and isn't ready for production.

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  • [–] 9 points 6 months ago (2 children)
  • [–] [S] 4 points 6 months ago (1 child)

    Probably slightly further along than it was 60 minutes ago but still not production ready. Also it'll likely be given to people by prescription. Though if it is successful there might be an open source version similar to those prosthetic hands that could be 3d printed and built yourself.

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  • [–] 5 points 6 months ago

    I really can't say without using it. I use a staff now way before I need it because it is really helpful. Especially when getting up from a squat. if the tail works I would use it.

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  • [–] 2 points 6 months ago
    [–] 1 point 6 months ago

    Who wouldn't want to temporarily become a cyborg velociraptor? Honestly, it's probably cheaper than a fursuit these days. Gaming chairs would be an issue though.

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  • [–] 1 point 6 months ago (1 child)

    Can I wear it in front of myself?

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