Kinetic energy-recycling prosthetic foot for a better stride

Prosthetic feet have given many lower limb amputees a stride back. But the toil a person bears with the conventional prosthetic feet is pretty alarming. About 23% more metabolic energy is required to walk wearing a prosthetic foot as compared to a normal foot, to overcome this, researchers from the University of Michigan are developing a new prosthetic foot which would recycle kinetic energy generated while walking.

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The prosthetic for everyday use makes walking only 14% more energy drawing than the normal. The dissipated energy while walking is efficiently captured by the prosthetic feet, which otherwise, in previous cases, would make the limb feel heavy and thus require a wearer to use more energy. This generated kinetic energy is stored in a small battery inside the prosthetic, which as required, is supplied to power a simple motor. The prototype of the device is being tested at the Seattle Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

kinetic energy recycling prosthetic foot

Via: PopSci/EcoFriend