this post was submitted on 06 May 2025

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I tried another Iron Man-style exoskeleton and now I'm stronger than ever | TechRadar (www.techradar.com)

submitted 3 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 30 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Of course there's a fucking app.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 3 days ago (2 children)

The app instructed me to perform certain actions to calibrate the exoskeleton and determine whether I was operating it correctly. It only let me move on in the setup if I could prove I was operationally proficient.

What's your problem with the app? It sounds like a legit reason for one. Kinda dumb to just condemn apps regardless of context.

[–] [email protected] 26 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Usually the issue with app dependent products, is that it rely on a fucking cloud connection. That imply that if the cloud service goes down or the company collapse, ~~your~~ their product become unusable. Yet all corps continue to do it as it is super handy to track their pigeon users. Data can then be sold or used to plot growth curves that gives their CEO an erection.

Also it probably requires you to have a google or apple account.

[+] [email protected] -8 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Well that's a whole load of assumptions based on absolutely nothing...

[–] [email protected] 9 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

First example in mind: https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2025/i-wont-connect-my-dishwasher-your-stupid-cloud

And a 2nd one: https://www.tomshardware.com/networking/your-washing-machine-could-be-sending-37-gb-of-data-a-day

[–] [email protected] -2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (2 children)

My point being, the article lists perfectly good reasons for the app to exist, but you've made assumptions about it based solely on absolutely no data. What's the point of linking an article about an unrelated app and company?

Also, as I recall, that 2nd case about the washing machine turned out to be faulty measurements on the router side.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 3 days ago (2 children)

The app doesn’t have to exist. Calibration can happen via other means.

You're zeroing in on this one app's supposed utility, missing the broader, well-documented pattern of issues with app-dependent, cloud-connected devices. The fundamental problem isn't this specific app, but the systemic risks: data harvesting, planned obsolescence when servers shut down, and companies shifting terms post-purchase. Dismissing valid comparisons because the product category differs is a smokescreen. The concern isn't an assumption based on nothing; it's based on a consistent history of consumer-unfriendly practices across the IoT landscape.

Google Nest Secure: Bricked by server shutdown (announced for April 2024).
Revolv Smart Home Hub: Bricked by server shutdown after Nest acquisition (2016).
Vizio Smart TVs: Caught collecting and selling viewing data (settlement in 2017).
Sonos Older Speakers: Attempted forced obsolescence through a "recycle mode" (faced backlash around 2020).
iRobot (Roomba): Privacy concerns over mapping user homes and data sharing (surfaced significantly around 2017-2022, especially with Amazon acquisition talks).
Anki (Cozmo/Vector Robots): Company folded, impacting cloud server access for full functionality (2019).
Cloud-Based Pet Feeders: Multiple brands have had server outages causing failures (ongoing issue, specific examples like Petnet in 2016 & 2020).
Wink Smart Home Hubs: Imposed sudden mandatory subscription fees (2020).
Philips Hue Smart Lights: Increased account requirements and phased out older bridge support (various changes, e.g., original bridge support ended 2020).
My Cloud Home Drives (Western Digital):Local file access blocked during server outages (notable widespread outages in 2021 and 2023).
"Smart" Padlocks: Prone to software/hardware failures and security vulnerabilities discovered (ongoing, e.g., Tapplock issues reported around 2018-2019).
Chamberlain MyQ Garage Doors: Blocked third-party integrations (significant moves around 2023).

Skepticism isn't an "assumption based on nothing"; it's pattern recognition.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 days ago

Nice list!

[–] [email protected] -3 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Is there any indication in the article that this is even cloud dependent?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 days ago (1 children)

You literally have to establish cloud access first by registering an account or SSO then signing in before even using the app. Then you grant Bluetooth access. You can download the app and see right now.

At ANY point this company can collect your data or do any combination of things from the list I mentioned.

[–] [email protected] -3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Great, thank you. Some actual facts. Now I can agree with you.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

This is how every single IoT company works. This is the standard. You can even tell from the app that they used a shitty templating app that makes this app look the same compared to every other shitty IoT app.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Is ther any indication that it is local only? Is the product exposed API documented?

[–] [email protected] -4 points 3 days ago

That was my bloody point from the first comment? Without any indication, why make assumptions? I didn't make any claims, I only pointed out the ridiculousness.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago

You asked why people are pissed off by apps, here is some reasons. I honestly couldn't care less for that toy belt.

Calibration needs is not an excuse to give up on privacy.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Could be done with a button

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

How would a button give you instructions and feedback...?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Instructions: paper

Feedback: green light, yellow light, red light.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

too analog for those gen-z and younger folks...

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

Only because the older folks keep pushing for apps and such by setting the example. If an analog option isn't even discussed, the younger generation definitely won't know how much simpler certain processes can be.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

A single calibration button?

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 days ago

I wasted my time reading an ad disguised as an article

[–] [email protected] 20 points 3 days ago (2 children)

It's not reducing the load on the knees at all.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Yeah, unless it does that then i dont want it.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 days ago (1 children)

After my back, my knees are the most fucked, followed closely by my shoulders and then hands.

Unless these things can take all or most off the strain off of my broken bits....not fucking interested.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago

I was really hoping it would help with this since I have a disability that affects the joints in legs and my knees hurt the most from that. So this isn’t really anything too interesting, but still kinda neat.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago

Back when I was ready to graduate college and looking for jobs, I was hoping to get a job with an exoskeleton development company. I really wanted to create Aliens loaders and shit like this. I settled for a job launching rockets.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 3 days ago

You lost me with "next level AI". Pass.