18.08.2011 18:35 Uhr, Quelle: Engadget

Bionic leg anticipates wearer's movements for more natural motion

Vanderbilt University researchers have debuted a new prosthetic leg that promises a more natural walking experience. Built-in sensors monitor the wearer's movement, data which is sent to a microprocessor, in order anticipate motion. The knee and ankle joints, meanwhile, work in unison, considerably cutting down on the sort of lag this is customary with more traditional prosthetic devices, a fact confirmed by tester Craig Hutto. The bionic limb, which took some seven years to develop, can increase the walking speed of its wearer by up to 25 percent, thanks to its need for considerably less energy from the user than passive prosthetic limbs. Check out a video of the leg in action at the source link

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