What would you pay?

[Solion]

Okay , here is the deal, as an engineer as well as a costume maker. If you were to get a costume that had an energy return system built into a digigrade
platform for your legs (mechanical assist ) what would you be willing pay for such a thing ?

I am trying to determine if it is feasable financally to make these for sale or not . I am talking about a pair of legs that could give you a 6 foot stride running and look like somthing from underworld.

Ill also have to figure out the legal issues to keep from getting sued
if somone busts their butt

Lionel

[Figarou]

Okay , here is the deal, as an engineer as well as a costume maker. If you were to get a costume that had an energy return system built into a digigrade
platform for your legs (mechanical assist ) what would you be willing pay for such a thing ?

I am trying to determine if it is feasable financally to make these for sale or not . I am talking about a pair of legs that could give you a 6 foot stride running and look like somthing from underworld.

Ill also have to figure out the legal issues to keep from getting sued
if somone busts their butt

Lionel

Whoa...Doesn't it put some type of strain on one of the muscles if you put them on without proper training/exercise? I know you have to strengthen one of the leg muscles.

You should look into that 1st.

Since you said..."mechanical assist" that may not be the case.

What type of injury can one get if the "mechanical assist" fails? I'd look at every aspect before selling one to somebody.

[Wynd]

Actually, I think there is something like this out there, if not exactlly what you are talking about. I remember looking into it after underworld came out, and stumbling across them. http://poweriser.net/homeflash.html

The're not exactlly Underworld stilts, but they were the closest thing I found online. If you check out the video of someone running ith them, it looks really neat.

Maybe you could improve upon them ( and having seem your site I'm sure you could find a way ) so they look more like digigrade legs? They're kind of a funky C shape, and your toes stick out.

[ABrownrigg]

Okay, these are cool. I'm gonna get a pair for testing.. Perhaps it would be a good deal for stunt folks to use when we do effects reference shots for any CGI elements. Not sure how the could be retrofitted, but its worth a shot to test.

[Figarou]

Hmmm...I remember watching a behind the scenes look in the "Men in Black" DVD. They had someone running with digitigrade leg extentions in a test scene. This was the scene. The creature was running towards a cop and then exploded when it was shot by one of the Men in Black agents.

It was quite interesting. Sure made the guy wearing it alot taller.

[Solion]

a** soon as I get the prototypes off the mill and tested I will put up some videos , the ones I am working on are a prototype upgrade from these for the movie I am working on called Circle of stone

http://www.lordsofthehoof.com/index_fil ... ction.html

here is a video in action of the units they built.

http://www.lordsofthehoof.com/gallery/F ... ndDraw_avi

since I have
access to a full machine shop and cad/cam . I am building the legs for
my personal lion costume. energy return is actually pretty easy . while not nearly as high as the ones from poweriser , these should give you a 6 foot
stride when running.

Yeah the lawyer bit and worries of people sueing me is forfront and may religate the improved system to just personal use sadly

Lionel

[Aki]

Wow...those things are damn cool.

The dude i nthe costume looks pretty natural in running with them on. Despite how you where them looks kinda uncomfortable...

[Veruth]

I haven't gottten to see the videos due to my cursed dial-up connection, but from what I have seen this looks really cool.

[Cordite Eposognatus]

Actually, I think there is something like this out there, if not exactlly what you are talking about. I remember looking into it after underworld came out, and stumbling across them. http://poweriser.net/homeflash.html

There have been a number of body motion amplification devices built, and several put to market. The above mentioned "Powerisers" are virtually identical to "Powerskips" - http://www.powerskip.de/ - which have been around for years, and I've seen a couple of other knock-offs of the same design. A similar style of energy return was the driving principle behind the "Bionic Boot": http://pages.zoom.co.uk/bionicboots/. On the more unique end of the spectrum there is the patented "Springwalker" http://www.springwalker.com/ and the simple but powerful "Saigak Boot" designed by Roman Kunikov: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/820398.stm.

The main disadvantage to any of these designs is that while they allow for greatly enhanced running/jumping ability, they make it virtually impossible to stand still. One's practical mobility is therefore greatly hampered, making their use in costume further debilitating.

The "Underworld" leg extensions are nothing new either, simply placing a "tendon" off the back of the leg and bracing everything appropriately for function and safety. My own design is essentially identical and was developed independently (as seen in the referenced link http://www.lordsofthehoof.com/index_fil ... ction.html, above), as were these - http://www.flickr.com/photos/curiousgeo/sets/1307198/ - done some 25 years ago.

The fact that at least three of us came to essentially the same conclusions (as well as my own experiences) leads me to believe that this is indeed an effective and practical design, and in less extreme forms allows one to remain stationary as well as walk, run, jump, crouch, etc. This ability is essential in most environments, making them viable for wear in crowded convention areas or elsewhere. Recent modifications I have made to my ULA's (Unguligrade Leg Appliances) have greatly enchanced this ability as well as reduced size, weight, and noise.

Perhaps some of the most radical extensions built were designed for the film "Wendigo", and these were engineered to a high degree. Unfortunately, their use in the film was severely limited, although I encourage anyone interested to see the film both because it is a great piece and because the DVD has some extras showing the legs and concept designs.

One will note that even while the "Underworld" extensions were well built, effective, and highly mobile, their actual appearance in the film was minimal. It is unfortunate that this always seems to end up being the case, with much time, energy, and money spent on a single device which ultimately ends up impractical on film or on the editing room floor. I'm hoping they will feature more prominately in "Underworld 2."

-Cordite