From having wolverine’s bionic claws to Superman’s X-ray vision, here are 11 superhero
gadgets that actually exist!!
11.
Spiderman Gloves
Have you ever wanted to be like Spiderman and run or climb up walls with only your hands
and feet?
Why not?
Spiderman was my favorite superhero when I was little so I definitely have!
In New York, engineers at Cornell University invented a palm-sized gadget to allow you
to do just that.
It uses the surface tension in water to create a reverse-adhesive bond to stick to glass,
wood, and brick.
Soon, they’ll be able to put this technology on gloves and shoes to give the wearer Spiderman-like
abilities.
The inspiration, though, didn’t come from our friendly, neighborhood webslinger.
It was actually inspired by a palmetto tortoise beetle.
Native to Florida, this beetle uses surface tension from tiny, pore-sized droplets of
secreted oil at the top of its legs to climb and stick to surfaces.
Scientists also discovered that the more holes containing water, the stronger the suction
became.
The theory, then, is that if they made the holes containing water thinner than the width
of a human hair, then there would be enough suction to hold an entire person to a surface.
However, there’s a problem: unsticking.
If something is that strong, it would be harder to peel yourself away from the wall.
Scientists believe they already have a solution for that: an electrical field.
The field reverses the suction, allowing the person to unstick themselves from the wall,
on demand.
10.
Iron Man Exoskeleton
Are you jealous of Iron Man?
Well now you can be Iron Man yourself!!
Some military geniuses have created an Iron Man exoskeleton.
Coined “Iron Man” - I think you got it by now- it is meant to help humans become
stronger.
This exoskeleton increases a soldier’s mobility and strength using basic robotics.
These robotics enhance and multiply whatever movement the soldier makes.
That means a normal punch that would leave only a bruise, can now break through thick
wooden planks.
Soldiers can lift rockets and rocket launchers as if they were shotguns.
That puts the exoskeleton closer to a real life Mech.
On top of that, the exoskeleton can also fly, though it wouldn’t be able to do the extreme
aerial acrobatics that Marvel’s Iron Man is known for.
Another exoskeleton, in development by the US Army, has a Terminator twist to it.
Called the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit, or TALOS, the suit would be made of
a liquid armor that would solidify on command.
Not only would it shield the wearer against harm but it will also enhance the wearer’s
strength.
We are getting close to real human/robot hybrids!
And now for number 9, but first be sure to subscribe if you haven’t already!!
9.
Batman Armor and Helmet
Batman’s superpower is the fact that he’s rich, and he can fight really well in his
awesome suit.
In keeping with that, this armor and helmet is also ridiculously expensive.
It is also bullet-proof, light, agile, and comes with visual displays.
And when I say it’s agile, I mean it.
The wearer can run and flip around freely without worrying about it wearing you down!
Developed by the Air Force, the armor and helmet are called the Battlefield Air Targeting
Man-Aided kNowledge, or BATMAN for short.
Yes, I know “knowledge” starts with a “k” but someone really wanted the acronym
to be Batman.
And can you blame them?
Batmak kind of misses the whole point...
The armor was created to modernize the gear commandos use while on combat missions.
It had to protect but also be light and covert.
While a commando would normally carry 160 pounds of equipment, the BATMAN decreases
the amount of weight.
The visual displays come from a small computer near the chest and help the soldier know their
logistical position and which tactics to use in any situation.
Finally, the suit has an option to recharge its batteries using the Bat Hook.
No, not kidding.
It’s really called that.
It’s a hook that you can throw onto a power line, and the hook connects to the grid, which
recharges the suit.
The only thing this thing is missing is a utility belt.
8.
Myo Armband
Let’s switch from the military to civilians.
Have you ever wanted to use the Force?
Star Wars mania is sweeping the world right now, with hundreds of children—and adults—pretending
to use the Force on each other or objects.
But what if you really could?
Well, if you’re willing to shell out $200 dollars, you can.
The Myo Armband controls your computer and electronic devices around you just by gesturing.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t open doors or toss aside annoying coworkers.
The Myo Armband does allow you to control drones, which is pretty cool.
How does it work?
The armband reads the electrical activity generated by your muscles.
The device is compatible with Windows, Mac, IOS, and Android via wireless connection.
So what are you waiting for??
7.
Rocket Belt
Fly like a superhero!
Ever since Bell Labs built the first rocket belt in 1953, everyone has known they would
be a part of our future.
However, it seemed like rocket belts would never be up for commercial sale because of
their weight and exorbitant costs.
Not to mention they could only carry enough fuel for a one-minute trip so….
However, a Mexican start-up called Mexican Aerospace Technology, or TAM, sells a custom-built
rocket belt for only $250,000.
The price includes not only the belt but also flight and maintenance training.
The belt doesn’t run on normal fuel but instead uses hydrogen peroxide and it weighs
between 124 to 139 pounds.
However, it only provides thirty seconds of flight.
Another company based in Colorado, called Jetpack International, claims to have the
world’s longest-flying rocket belt.
It lasts a whole three seconds longer in the air than the TAM belt.
Like TAM, their rocket belt uses hydrogen peroxide and weighs close to 139 pounds.
It’s also slightly less expensive, with the device and training costing about $155,000.
Yikes!
Both companies have plans to make larger packs that burn different fuels to allow for increased
flight times.
TAM is working on a propane-burning jet belt while Jetpack International plans to use old-fashioned
jet fuel.
If everything works out, then potential superheroes can stay aloft for 19 minutes or more.
Almost there!
6.
Pyro Fireshooter
This is for all you admirers of Fantastic Four’s Human Torch.
Like him, you can shoot fireballs from your hands thanks to the Pyro Fireshooter or its
latest model, the Pyro Mini Fireshooter.
These flames aren’t enough to melt a wall of ice but it’ll certainly make lighting
a campfire infinitely more cool.
The device costs about $100 dollars and the creators also claim that they are perfectly
safe to use.
The secret is the flash paper tucked into the barrels of the shooter.
This specially treated tissue paper burns quickly.
Magicians and illusionists have long used flash paper in their acts when they need a
tiny burst of fire so you shouldn’t worry about burning anyone to death accidentally.
I hope.
5.
Kangaroo Jumps
Jump over tall buildings in a single bound!
Okay, maybe not yet.
But close!
This gadget could probably help you jump a fence!
But it can’t help you much higher than that.
Kangaroo Jumps look like something out of an 80’s sci-fi movie.
They add inches to your height, and help with jumping.
However, they were originally invented to lower joint impact while running.
They’re a great tool for losing weight because they double the rate of calorie burn when
you’re working out.
So, not only do you feel like a superhero but you’re also doing your body some good!
Phil Dunphy would definitely approve!!
4.
X-Ray Vision
Like Superman you, too, can have x-ray vision!!
Well, to point, of course.
You won’t be able to use actual x-rays and I don’t think you really want to go that
far.
Too much exposure to x-rays causes cancer.
Scientists, though, have found a good alternative and created the T5000 from Thruvision.
So, even better!
The T5000 is a terahertz imaging system that can see through clothes.
Inventors of the T5000 built on technology developed by the European Space Agency.
The T5000 was originally designed for use in airports.
There isn’t a portable version, unfortunately.
It can spot concealed explosives, narcotics, weapons, plastics, and ceramics from 80 feet,
which eliminates the need to step through a scanner.
3.
Invisibility Cloak
If you’re a fan of Harry Potter or the Fantastic Four, you’ll love this one!
Well, Japanese scientists may have created your heart’s desire.
Scientists at Tokyo University in Japan have invented a poncho-like coat capable of rendering
its wearer invisible.
Well, as invisible as possible outside of a comic book or movie.
They used a special type of “retro-reflective material” to create the coat.
It only works in conjunction with a camera.
The camera, which is behind the person, reflects the background onto the coat, causing the
wearer to blend in.
Think of it like extreme camouflage.
You’d think something like this was invented for military purposes but actually the reason
might surprise you.
It was actually made to help surgeons see patients’ bodies all the way through.
So, instead of camouflage, it’s an extreme x-ray.
Pilots can also use the technology to make the floors of their planes appear transparent
in order to help with landings.
That sounds a little scary!
To see the bottom of the plane like a glass bottom boat, would you want that?
The Japanese aren’t the only ones working on something like this.
Scientists in the US and UK have developed a technology that is less like the moderate
invisibility by the Japanese and more like true invisibility.
Using photonic crystals, scientists from Imperial College London and Karlsruhe Institute of
Technology in Germany created a real cloak.
They used it to conceal a small bump on a gold surface.
They likened it to hiding something under a carpet, only they made the carpet disappear.
Right now, they’re only able to do this on a microscopic level.
However, they hope to one day replicate it on a much larger scale so we can use it in
the future!
2.
MyoWare Bionic Claws
Wolverine and his claws can now be yours!
The company who created the MyoWare muscle sensor celebrated the launch of the device’s
fourth generation by creating a step-by-step tutorial on how to create bionic claws.
The tutorial involves 3D printing and the MyoWare sensor.
It works by the device sensing when you flex your forearm muscles.
This extends the 4-inch claws a fraction of a second later!
There’s also a locking mechanism if you want the claws to stay out while keeping your
muscles flexed.
Just find a local print shop and get the sensor and you are good to go!
More detailed instructions are on their website, don’t just go off of what I say...
1.
Telepathy
Maybe you don’t want to fly or set things on fire with the flick of a wrist.
Maybe you’ve always admired Professor X and his mental powers.
Well, telepathy is an ability that may be part of our future.
Researchers at Duke University used neural implants to send electrical signals from one
rat’s brain to another rat’s brain.
The signal was to make one push a lever and it worked!
Unfortunately, human experimentation is still a ways off.
Actually, I think fortunately!
However, a scientist in the UK, Christopher James achieved the first brain to brain telepathic
conversation!!
He placed electrodes on the subject’s scalp (his daughter was the subject) and had her
imagine moving an arm or leg.
James said: “I only used scalp electrodes on my daughter, since my wife wouldn’t let
me drill holes in my daughter’s head”.
He later performed other experiments with more subjects and had people imagine performing
simple actions.
This action translated into a flashing light signal and was sent to the other person’s
brain, causing the other subject to complete the action.
It’s not exactly Professor Xavier sending complicated instructions using the power of
his brain but it’s a start.
Thanks for watching!
What superhero gadget are you hoping for?
Let us know in the comments below!
Be sure to subscribe and see you next time!!