High-Tech Battle Suit, your thoughts on this?

[Melau]

So I came across this:

It's still a prototype, so next models are going to be more flexible, lighter, etc. I think this is a very good development. Finally someting you can wear, and not have to hold back anymore. All-out Muay Thai vs Tonfa? Eskrima vs Boken? Medieval Sword vs Karate? Bo vs MMA? All possible, without the pesky "have to hold back because full blow with Bo is lethal" etc.

[Wastelander]

They've been working on that for quite a while, and they've made some good progress this year. That said, all the demonstrations I've seen of someone being struck while wearing it has been done with a very flexible waxwood bo, not a hardwood bo. If it can stand up to use with hardwood weapons, then I definitely see it as useful for weapons training.

[Wado Heretic]

I have to say: no armour is perfect, and there will always be an element of holding back, either through the participants own inhibitions, or structurally via the materials of the weapons allowed or the rule set established.

I see the benefits to these suits to training (increased feedback for example); but I am dubious to the benefits outside of those who need to train in such a manner, at such expense. It just strikes me as a gimmick in regards to the civilian sphere of weapon practice. Kendo bogu, and sufficiently padded weapons work fine for my students and I as it stands; I would like to be more informed of the commercial viability before I can say more in the sphere of general training possibilities.

Competition has it's place and time; good luck to them, and I hope their investment in the project pays off for all involved.

[sensei8]

I'm on the fence with this one. For me, it's the good, bad, and the ugly all rolled into one.

>Price for such armor will be quite out of reach for most.

>I'm claustrophobic, so that won't work for me. I'd be fighting to get the armor off more than keeping it on.

>Protection has to start with the individual and not with the equipment.

I loved that the video showed one in armor and one not; this welcomes injuries when the one in armor forgets that the other isn't wearing any armor.

I don't know...I think I'll pass on the idea, for myself.

[Wado Heretic]

This was going to be an edit but returned too late.

On further contemplation; I believe the Armour can reduce the wielding of weapons to a game. I am not opposed to competition; I believe it has it's place as a source of adversity, a realm within in which to test ones skill.

However; in saying that, although we may equate unarmed combat with sport because of the long traditions of boxing and wrestling, and the relative safety that may be achieved. I believe it dangerous to do the same with the practice of the armed arts; they are a reminder and a bridge to the warrior origins of many arts. In reducing such activities to a game; we may lose sight of the value of weapon practice at all.

Yes; there may be olympic fencing and kendo. Activities with long and celebrated heritages; however, even the untrained eye will be able to notice the differences between authentic methods derived from deep study of actual combat, and sporting methods.

While I may not oppose the advancement of sport karate, I am hesitant to see Kobujutsu enter the realm of sport. However, the training possibilities of the armour are compelling. Plus; I would not wish failure on anyone and hope the best to all involved in the project.

I would just warn people to keep in mind the clear distinctions between the killing methods; and the inevitable match winnings methods that shall evolve.