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Computer Controlled Artificial Limbs Next Step for Prosthetic Legs?
Computer Controlled Artificial Limbs The NY times has posted an interesting article entitled Computerized Control Is Next for Artificial Limbs. With the help of angular and strain detectors, a small micro-chip can assist movement with a hydraulics system. Using predetermined behaviours, this can help the person keep up with other pedestrians, or move down stairs efficiently. This seems like the first step for prosthetics legs fully connected to the nervous system... whether/when it will happen is another matter! | Alex J. Champandard 931 posts. Saturday 05 January, 10:11 Reply
Jake the peg I remember Kevin Warwick gave a good demonstration of the use of prosthetic legs during the 2000 royal institution lectures. The simplest legs simply act as pendulums, but the swing of a pendulum is mainly determined by its mass and length. This meant that a passive, pendulum-like leg doesn't keep up with the person as they walk at different speeds. A better method is where the pendulum is assisted by some kind of active control. Also the flexibility of the ankle is critical for efficient walking or running. The flexibility of ankle and knee joints needs to be continuously adjusted during the different phases of the gait. I think there will probably be considerable improvements in prosthetic legs over the next decade as sophisticated electronics becomes increasingly cheap and minaturised. Improvements in prosthetics will probably also result in improved bipedal walking machines, suth as the Honda robot. - Bob | motters 136 posts. Saturday 05 January, 11:10 Reply
Leg Market Agreed. The technology is definitely there. If the market was bigger or more lucrative no doubt it would be out already! Honda's got a long way to go - pun intended! It doesn't even have one good leg yet ;) | Alex J. Champandard 931 posts. Saturday 05 January, 11:33 Reply