Creators of the unique antigravity treadmill proceed to advance know-how with new firm.
The antigravity treadmill, which has advantages in house and on Earth, was pioneered by Robert Whalen at NASA’s Ames Analysis Middle in Silicon Valley, California, within the Eighties and ’90s.
Whalen constructed a system that positioned a pressurized bulb over the consumer’s higher physique, creating downward strain that might simulate gravity for astronauts working on a treadmill in house. With help from Ames, he prototyped a treadmill in his storage that reversed the idea, with the bubble enclosing the consumer from the waist all the way down to create raise. He thought the system may assist sufferers rehabilitate.
Years later, his son recalled the prototype within the storage and turned it into the AlterG idea. The AlterG treadmill, which makes use of air strain to take weight off the consumer, had confirmed in style with skilled sports activities groups and rehabilitation clinics, however Whalen and his buddies wished to make it reasonably priced sufficient for house use, in order that they based Enhance Treadmills in 2017.
Now Enhance, primarily based in Palo Alto, California, has reduce the worth of an antigravity treadmill by nearly two thirds. In 2022, the corporate launched the Enhance 2, which is quieter and extra energy-efficient than its predecessor, amongst different enhancements. The Enhance 2 has roughly tripled gross sales to people, progressing on the corporate’s purpose of transferring into the house.
Offloading weight throughout train is a transparent answer for sufferers whose accidents stop them from strolling or working at their full weight, however Enhance says it may be equally worthwhile for individuals with long-term mobility impairments, resembling weight problems or arthritis.
Superior by means of NASA, the antigravity treadmill is one in all many space-inspired applied sciences benefitting life on Earth.