AMP-Foot 2.0 Puts a Spring in Your Step

Nov-02-12 The AMP-Foot 2.0 was designed to mimic normal ankle movements by storing energy in a spring-equipped actuator, helping to encourage a natural gait.

In order to give the boost needed to take a step, most prostheses store energy in an elastic element, which does not provide as much power as the natural muscle. To increase this energy output, researchers at Belgium's Vrije Universiteit Brussel used a small, low-power actuator that stores energy in springs. This allowed the actuator to be light-weight with a long battery life, even though is it operating constantly. The AMP-Foot 2.0 also gathers and stores energy as the foot bends, while a pair of sensors in the heel and toes monitor when to store or release the power.

The AMP-Foot 2.0 weighs only five pounds, which is about the same weight as a normal foot, and is currently being tested with amputees.

More Info about this Invention:

[GIZMAG.COM]
[UNIVERSITIEIT BRUSSEL]

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