Chronicles
From the MyRSF.net archives of the Email Chronicles
Cheat Codes for Skiing, Driving!
Author: Phil Trubey
Date: February 09, 2025
These emails I send are often focused on politics, but today I'm talking about cool new technologies that you might be able to use yourself.
Skip this section if you don't ski, but if you do, look at the videos below. I just skied six hard days in a row in the French alps, something I haven't been able to do in over twenty years. My knees and legs just couldn't take it.
I used the Againer ski exoskeleton. This simple product is what my kids called a "cheat code" for skiing (I outlasted them on the slopes!). At its core, it's an air piston behind your calf that gets compressed every turn you make which lifts you back up coming out of the turn. Not only does it relieve a huge amount of knee and back stress, but it massively reduces quad muscle fatigue.
Watch this video to see it in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=883z56vGYbo
And if you're wondering what just an average skier looks like using it, here's a short clip of me using it:
It's a European product, but the US rep is located near here in Big Bear. If you're interested in buying it, call, text or email Murray Jacobson at 909-283-8223, murraydjacobson1031@yahoo.com.
Last summer I gushed about how great the Tesla Full Self Driving feature was. After a software update last December, it is now good enough to be driving me around everywhere, all the time. I literally do not drive my car anymore.
The only time I take over is entering a parking lot to find a parking space. But the car will exit the parking space, reversing and maneuvering all by itself, to head home.
All I have to do is set a destination, and it does the rest.
Here's a series of clips I grabbed off the dash cam showing how it handles a series of complex maneuvers. The car handled all these without me touching the steering wheel or pedals.
Caveat: This is still a SUPERVISED self driving system. Very occasionally, some weird set of circumstances will occur that the system won't handle correctly. So you do need to pay attention and follow along enough to anticipate odd situations occurring.
Having said that, it still takes a huge mental and physical load off of the driver when driving. It is especially useful for long drives or bumper to bumper traffic.
OK, one minor political post. If you're a member of the RSF Association, please consider running for the Board. The Association is accepting self nominations now through March 7th. Let me know if you're possibly interested and I can give you the ins and outs.
Hope this was useful. Also, a reminder that I maintain an informative website about RSF at MyRSF.net.
Phil Trubey