Inspired by EA's Dead Space, we build our very own set of gravity boots, then have David try to walk upside in a warehouse.
So we got this offer we couldn't refuse. Try and recreate the gravity boots used in EA's Dead Space video game.
Then try to walk upside down. Sounds like a cakewalk... right?
We had access to a warehouse, a forklift, and giant steel plates. We ordered a pair of electromagnets with a breakaway force of 650 pounds each. We figured out how to attach 'em to David's feet.
David programmed a controller to make sure he couldn't release both feet from the plate at the same time. (Safety First!)
It was when David was hanging upside down, his feet 4 meters in the air under a 1200 pound steel plate that things got... interesting.
Did we drop him on his head, or was he able to violate the laws o' gravity and walk on the ceiling?
Watch the video to find out!
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Posted by NeBan on 11/25/2008 at 03:14:59 am in Systm
Just get someone who is used to pushing with their legs. My first thought was crew members on a rowing team. (And I'm a sailor, so I hate those guys. But but they do train like mad....) They row with their legs by pushing against water pressure. Maybe I'm wrong, but I do know that they train to push against force with the same muscles the conversation seems to be thinking about. (I think).
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Posted by suzq on 11/21/2008 at 09:41:00 am in Systm
I've never laughed so hard at a Systm show! That was great, guys! :)
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Posted by fishtoprecords on 11/20/2008 at 11:06:07 pm in Systm
Could you try it with a vertical wall? You'd need to use a harness to hold David horizontal, as no one's legs are strong enough to hold you straight out, but it might work.
It would be easy to have the forklift hold the plate vertical. And you need a safety harness anyway, so some carabiners and rope...
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Posted by computoman on 11/20/2008 at 09:33:09 pm in Systm
They could always use a robotic assisted leg braces.
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Posted by Jaguar87.5 on 11/20/2008 at 02:51:45 pm in Systm
You guys should water proof would boots and use them in water, it would simulate zero gravity, and be awesome...
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Posted by SuperLinuxUser on 11/20/2008 at 01:31:51 pm in Systm
Just a suggestion next time you attempt to do the walk, add a padded swinging bar to hang from the waist and lifting the feet backwards, or hooking the rope around the feet and pulling the feet up to the plate. Walking is another matter, most likely a redesign. The way you have it now is like walking in ski boots. Sorry man.
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Posted by haku on 11/19/2008 at 06:45:29 pm in Systm
Hey that's not a bad idea using water as a zero-G simulant, adding salt would aid the boyancy of the boot wearer. I bet they know someone with a big swimming pool they can suspend a large metal plate in to walk on, and someone with some scuba gear...
David, what about instead of trying to walk upsidedown because of the leg muscles thing, hold onto the magnets with your hands (or strap them to your wrists/arms) and hang from the 'ceiling'? being careful not to accidentally bash yourself with the magnets
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Posted by pulledteeth on 11/19/2008 at 04:27:53 pm in Systm
Hey, if you need a zero G environment, you should try what nasa uses: Water. Just get a tub of water, like a super sized hot tub, and use that as an analog for a zero G envornment.
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Posted by shadowbird712 on 11/18/2008 at 08:09:40 pm in Systm
Interesting sidenote on the fetish shop from which Patrick and David got their...special equipment: it's also been a regular shopping stop for the Mythbusters. They've been there on several occasions, including to get latex suits for the Running in Rain myth from an early episode.
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Posted by davmoo on 11/18/2008 at 03:17:08 pm in Systm
"
I was wondering about that part of it too. Besides leg muscles having to fight gravity, I'm sure there was an impact on the stomach and intestines. Humans weren't designed with the idea of one's butt being higher than one's head for long periods of time.
Over all though, it was still a very good episode. Even if a project like that doesn't exactly work, its good to see how one deals with real world issues when working on strange projects.
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