Houston: American researchers have developed a jetpack that can allow people reach the four-minute mile mark by enhancing speed and agility.
Researchers at Arizona State University (ASU) have developed this jetpack with the help of the Defence Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA).
The jetpack was designed for soldiers in the field who need to get in and out of situations quickly.
Thomas Sugar, professor at the university's Human Machine Integration Laboratory, and his team were originally developing robotic systems that could assist amputees when DARPA asked if they could put something together that would allow able-bodied people to run faster.
The jetpack, '4MM, or 4 Minute Mile', sits on the lower back of the wearer with two thrusters exerting force back and down so as to offer forward drive as well as a little lift. Jason Kerestes, an engineering graduate at ASU, was brought onto the project as he also owned a welding business. His work gave birth to the 4MM.
"Our overall goal is to get any soldier or any test subject at the time to be able to run a four-minute mile," Kerestes said in a promotional video about the project. "These devices can really help soldiers to not only accomplish their goals and succeed in their missions, but potentially save human lives as well."
At this early stage, the weight of the unit means the runner has to carry an extra 5 kg.
Despite the extra weight, time was still shaved off in a 200 metres run test while at the same time costing the wearer even less energy to achieve.
Over a mile, the test subject ran in five minutes and 20 seconds normally but managed 5 minutes and 2 seconds with the jetpack on, without exerting as much energy.
With this prototype finished, Kerestes is now working on refining it for better performance.
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