Parting Shot: ‘SpiderSense’ Suit Allows Wearer To Do At Least One Thing A Spider Can

It looks like modern science may have finally caught up to Steve Ditko and Stan Lee, at least a little: A professor at the University of Illinois has designed a suit he calls SpiderSense. The suit allows its wearer to recognize objects around and approaching him or her, to potentially avoid danger.Built by Victor Mateevitsi, the SpiderSense suit has small robotic arms packaged in modules with microphones that send out and receive ultrasonic reflections from objects. When the ultrasound detects an object moving closer to one of the microphones, the arms exert a growing pressure on the body, alerting the suit's wearer.

Mateevitsi used students to test out the SpiderSense, having them wear the suit while blindfolded and asking them to "feel" for attackers. Each student was given ninja cardboard throwing stars to use whenever they sensed someone approaching. According to Mateevitsi, "Ninety five per cent of the time they were able to sense someone approaching and throw the star at them."

Added Mateevitsi: "When someone is punching Spider-Man, he feels the sensation and can avoid it. Our suit is the same concept." The professor hopes the SpiderSense suit can aid the blind in finding their way more easily, and increase cyclists' awareness of other traffic on the road.

[Via Engadget]