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The Bestial Future Of Bionic Legs
Bionic legs or mechanical prosthetic substitutes for the pedal extremities, started out so normally. Now, however, an advertisement for a futuristic soccer boot takes our imagination to a new level.
SF fans remember the Bionic legs from the novel Cyborg; these devices were essentially a substitute for human legs that fit in the same space and had a similar form. A bit later, Neal Stephenson wrote about a way that people with legs could get a bit of a boost; read about the pedomotive from The Diamond Age.
In the real world, things were moving along as well. Powerisers were patented just a few years ago.
(Poweriser extreme sports gear)
Similar springs were worked out for double amputees. They work so well, these athletes may not compete against their 100% organic fellows.
(Running on prosthetics)
However, in Puma's ad for soccer boots from the year 2178, it appears that any disputes about athletes using artifical limbs has disappeared.
(Poweriser extreme sports gear)
An unlikely future? With powerisers, springy prosthetics, Toyota's prototype jumping leg and robot legs that talk to each other I wouldn't bet against it.
Via Animal-Cyborg Soccer Slaves.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 2/5/2008)
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