Bionic Boots let you run as fast as a car. The springy shoes mimic an ostrich’s gait to let you travel at up to 25 miles per hour. The prototype was developed by San Francisco-based inventor, Keahi Seymour. The shoes have springs on the back that imitate the Achilles tendons of an ostrich. The springs provide the wearer with more down force when running.
With their wide springy gait, ostriches can reach speeds of 40 mph, covering up to 16 ft. in a single stride. As a child, Keahi Seymour was fascinated by what appeared to be the effortless speed and agility of these creatures, making them the fastest running birds on the planet. Now the San Francisco-based inventor has created a prototype gadget that he claims will allow humans to experience what it’s like to reach these incredible speeds. Dubbed the ‘Bionic Boot’, the shoes have springs on the back designed to imitate the Achilles tendon of an ostrich or kangaroo, giving the wearer more down force when running.
Mr. Seymour has been working on the boots for several years, and has already produced dozens of prototypes. He took his Bionic Boots to the Maker Faire to demonstrate its capabilities. In its current form, the device can reach speeds of up to 25 mph – or the same speed as a slow-moving car. Mr. Seymour says won’t rest until he can go faster and outrun some of Earth’s fastest land animals.
The $265 bouncing boots claims to turn anyone into a human kangaroo. The ‘Kangoo Jumps’ are fastened like roller blades or ski boots, with quick-release buckles. Once they’re on, you need to do a little march on the spot to get yourself used to the sensation, which feels like jogging on a trampoline. Featuring a spring-loaded sole, the mini-trampolines were initially invented to help people recover from sports injuries by taking away the impact of running on their joints. But now they’re being sold as a way of enjoying all the benefits of a tough gym or aerobics workout.
See the full videos below:
