Luna VT — and later Augmented Leap — was announced as a backpack drone developed by the University of Tokyo Lab in 2018. Granted, it did not live up to its full potential. Its rotors handle part of the user's weight while jumping, effectively allowing this user to "float" through the air. In the lab, this tech made users feel like gravity had dropped by 75%.
The Rocket Shoes of the Future: The Augmented Leap
Jumps feel like glides. The hardware is a backpack drone. Augmented Leap is the latest in a line of wearable devices designed to enhance mobility. Unlike its predecessor, which used an octocopter design, Augmented Leap employs a hexacopter. This means it has six rotors. This reduces effective body weight to about two-thirds through adjustments made to the drone. By doing this, the wearable device allows users to jump higher, and stay aloft approximately two or three times longer. The Augmented Leap is distinctive because it doesn't rely on batteries to function. The device was designed to work as a wearer jumps. The jump is a separate phase. However, the backpack reduces your effective body weight, which can help you jump higher and stay in the air longer. During a jump, the backpack is capable of offsetting most of your own body weight, therefore lifting the user.
How Augmented Leap Changes the Landscape
The original Luna VT wearable device was developed as a research prototype by Jun Rekimoto’s lab at the University of Tokyo. The University of Tokyo demoed Luna VT back in 2018. Unlike traditional backpack drones, Luna VT was designed to provide additional support during jumping rather than lifting the user off the ground entirely. The team said it was capable of reducing the effective body weight of the user by 75%. Unlike Luna VT, this newer version of the tech — called Augmented Leap — doesn't rely on batteries to function. August 2026 marked the first appearance of a hexacopter-based version of the device, which further reduces effective body weight to about two-thirds. Augmented Leap was built to be a flyer. The pinch here is that you have to jump yourself. The rotors merely carry part of your weight.
Evolution of Jump Enhancing Tech
The device has evolved significantly since its initial concept. The original Luna VT featured an octocopter design with eight rotors. This octocopter design was used for testing and development purposes. The prototype worked by lifting the wearer’s feet off the ground while jumping, allowing for enhanced mobility and extended air time. Users could jump two to three times higher and stay in the air longer. The drone was originally designed as a tool to help people leap across streets without using crossings, skip stairs, and invent new sports. Jun Rekimoto’s lab continued to develop the technology and eventually evolved it into the hexacopter-based Augmented Leap.
The Augmented Leap Pitch
The idea behind Luna VT was to enhance mobility by allowing users to jump higher and stay aloft longer. The rotors on the backpack drone carried part of the user's weight while jumping. The Augmented Leap is designed to reduce the wearer's effective body weight. It accomplishes this by offsetting some of the force generated by the jump. Replacing wheelchairs on rough ground is included. If even a portion of the weight that the device can lift can be applied to a wheelchair, the device can make it easier for wheelchair users to navigate rough terrain. This was one of the initial use cases for the device.
Future Applications and Potential Hazards
The Octocopter and Hexacopter technologies might see some future military applications. It's conceivable that soldiers might want to move silently and quickly without being easily detected. Given the silent operation of the drone, it’s possible that the device could find military applications. Augmented Leap can also be used to help people jump across barriers and navigate uneven terrain. If the device can lift a user off the ground even for a brief moment, it could make it easier for users to navigate obstacles. While the concept of the Augmented Leap is compelling, there are several potential hazards to consider. The designers acknowledge the higher jump. However, they seem to be ignoring the higher fall. Falling from a great height can injure even the healthiest user. Augmented Leap might also pose a risk to bystanders. If the user is caught by surprise and falls unexpectedly, the user could potentially injure people near them. In that way, the same qualities that make the device appealing can also make it dangerous.
The Gravity Diminisher
Augmented Leap is based on technology that mimics the feeling of reduced gravity. The device's design incorporates a drone, which is attached to a backpack. With a jump, the drone lifts the user off the ground. The drone provides support and stability, which is a result of the drone lifting the user. The drone can also be used to help the user navigate obstacles, cross streets, and climb stairs. While the user is able to jump higher and stay in the air longer without the help of the drone, the device can still help the user achieve these goals.
Potential use cases and future
If the device can lift the user off the ground, it can be used for urban exploration and adventure sports. For example, the device can be used to launch off a building or a wall. It can also be used to jump from one rooftop to another. One of the other proposed use cases for the device is to replace wheelchairs in rough terrain. The lab’s original pitch for the device was even to use it for replacing wheelchairs in rough terrain. Because the device can lift the user off the ground, it can help to navigate uneven surfaces. This would make it easier for people with disabilities to navigate rough terrain.
Packing for a Heightened Jump
If you want to enhance your jumps, strap on a backpack with a hexacopter. Wrap yourself in padding, and go for the jump. Augmented Leap didn’t just reduce the user’s effective body weight. The device even reduces the wearer’s sense of weight. The device essentially cuts your effective body weight to about two-thirds. The device is designed to lift the user off the ground while jumping, allowing for enhanced mobility and extended air time. The device can be dangerous if used improperly and falls need to be mitigated. It can also be dangerous if used in areas where there are people nearby. It can pose a risk to bystanders. You should take precautions to minimize the risk of injuring yourself or others. Worn correctly: The device should be worn on the back. Always ensure that the straps are secure and that the device is properly fitted to your body. The fit is vital to maintaining control over the device. It reduces the risk of dislodging the device while in use. The less it moves on your back, the easier it is to control when in the air. Pre-flight setup: Before use, perform a series of safety checks. Ensure all the rotors are working properly by performing a short test run. Ensure that there are no obstructions in the area where you plan to jump. This will help to minimize the risk of injury to yourself or others. Jumping safely: When you jump, make sure that you are in a clear, open space, far away from people and objects. This means that you should be able to clear any obstacles without risk of collision. Make sure you land in a controlled manner. Augmented Leap is a fascinating example of how technology can enhance human capabilities. By reducing the effective body weight, the device allows users to jump higher and stay in the air longer—but it also poses risks that need to be carefully managed.
Questions readers ask
How does the Augmented Leap backpack drone actually work?
The Augmented Leap uses a hexacopter design with six rotors. When you jump, the rotors kick in to offset a significant portion of your body weight, making you feel lighter and allowing you to jump higher and stay in the air longer. It's designed to make you feel like gravity has decreased by about 75%.
What makes Augmented Leap different from its predecessor, Luna VT?
Augmented Leap has evolved from the octocopter design of Luna VT to a hexacopter design. This change reduces the effective body weight to about two-thirds, and unlike Luna VT, it doesn't rely on batteries to function—it activates during the jump phase.
Can I use the Augmented Leap for everyday activities like crossing streets or skipping stairs?
The original idea behind Luna VT, and by extension Augmented Leap, was to enhance mobility for activities like crossing streets without using crossings or skipping stairs. However, the current version is more about extending air time and height during jumps, so its practicality for everyday use is still being explored.
Is the Augmented Leap safe to use for everyday activities?
The device is designed to assist with jumping, so it should be safe for activities that involve jumping. However, it's important to consider the environment and your own physical limitations. Always follow safety guidelines and use it in appropriate settings.
What are the potential applications of Augmented Leap beyond recreational use?
Beyond recreational use, Augmented Leap could have applications in sports, military training, and even in helping people with mobility challenges. The device's ability to reduce effective body weight could open up new possibilities for athletic training and rehabilitation.
How does the lack of battery reliance in Augmented Leap affect its usability?
The fact that Augmented Leap doesn't rely on batteries means it can be used continuously without worrying about recharging. However, it still requires the user to jump to activate the rotors, so it's not a device that can lift you off the ground without any effort on your part.
When will Augmented Leap be available for the public to purchase?
The article does not provide specific details on when Augmented Leap will be available for public purchase. It mentions that the device was demoed in August 2026, so it might still be in the development or testing phase. For the latest updates, you might need to check the University of Tokyo Lab's official announcements or relevant tech news sources
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