Axiles Bionics aims to improve the quality of life for people who have undergone lower limb amputations by bringing the latest generation of bionic feet to the market.
Each year, 75,000 people in Europe undergo major lower limb amputations. Beyond the traumatic experience of amputation, these individuals continue to suffer from the inefficacy of current ankle prostheses. These prostheses are either unable to restore normal gait and posture to patients (99%) or are far too expensive (1%).
Over the past ten years, researchers at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) have been studying human biomechanics to replicate its behavior in intelligent robotic systems. This research has ultimately led to the development of the new generation of bionic foot: the AMP-Foot. This ankle-foot prosthesis can restore a natural gait and posture during everyday activities, be flexible and highly responsive to the person’s intent and the environment, and adapt while assisting during exertion by compensating for the lost leg muscles.
Here are a few videos illustrating the project with the AMP-Foot 4 prototype:
- The AMP-Foot 4 on a treadmill
- The AMP-Foot 4 walking freely
- Comparison between a conventional prosthesis and the AMP-Foot
