How to Run 50% Faster without External Energy

A. Sutrisno and D.J. Braun, How to Run 50% Faster without External Energy, vol. 6, no. 13, eaay1950, Science Advances, 2020. 

This paper shows that human running speed can be increased by more than 50% using a catapult-like exoskeleton that does not provide external energy. The study reveals how unpowered robotic devices can exploit mechanical design to extend human performance beyond natural limits.

Why it matters: Augmentation devices that enhance mobility without consuming energy could transform sports, rescue operations, and law enforcement. This work highlights the untapped potential of mechanically adaptive exoskeletons to boost human speed in demanding environments.