Augmented leap: Human jump augmentation through apparent reduced gravity

Author

Nakamura, Yuto and Minamida, Keigo and Kanazawa, Masanobu and Dendo, Koya and Rekimoto, Jun

Abstract

In disaster response, agricultural work, and patrol in depopulated areas, workers frequently encounter localized obstacles such as ditches and rubble that are difficult to overcome by walking yet do not warrant full flight mobility. We present a wearable Partial Gravity Assist system using a backpack-type hexacopter that reduces the user’s effective body weight to approximately two-thirds while keeping thrust below body weight, thereby augmenting natural jumping without transitioning to flight. In vertical jump experiments with two participants, the Assist condition improved maximum jump height by 10–16% and jump time by 70–80%. This work demonstrates that partial gravity assist enables jumping as an extension of walking for crossing localized gaps.