University of Utah's advanced AI prosthetic. (Image Credit: University of Utah/YouTube)
University of Utah researchers developed the world's most advanced AI-powered leg prosthetic. This led to a partnership with Ottobock, the world's largest prosthetic manufacturer, so they can make it accessible for those with leg amputations around the world. It's taken several years for the project, taken on by students and academics at the university, to reach this stage.
"Our @LabBionic [Bionic engineering lab] has developed the "Utah Bionic Leg," the most advanced bionic leg ever created. Now, we've forged a partnership with the worldwide leader in the prosthetics industry, @OttobockUK, to bring it to individuals with lower-limb amputations," the university tweeted.
"The largest prosthetics manufacturer in the world has committed to use the highest level of technologies available in robotics and AI to bring this prosthetic leg to those who need it as soon as possible," said University of Utah mechanical engineering associate professor Tommaso Lenzi, lead researcher on the Utah Bionic Leg project. "Ottobock promotes freedom of movement, quality for life, and independence. They are saying now is the time to make such technical solutions available to everyone."
The Bionic Leg features motors, processors, and advanced AI that works together, providing amputees with strength and mobility. Amputees wearing an old prosthetic would usually depend on their upper body and intact legs for support. The Utah Bionic Leg solves that issue due to its ability to facilitate mobility. "If you walk faster, it will walk faster for you and give you more energy. Or it adapts automatically to the height of the steps in a staircase. Or it can help you cross over obstacles," Lenzi says.
The prosthetic also relies on custom force and torque sensors, accelerometers, and gyroscopes to determine the leg's position in space. These sensors connect to a computer processor, translating sensor inputs into the prosthetic joints' movements. It also has a "smart transmission system," connecting the motors to the robotic joints. The system works like "shifting gears on a bike," adapting joint behaviors according to its activity. With the robotic knee, ankle, and toe joints, wearers can move the bionic leg for extended periods, similar to an intact leg. Even better, it weighs just six pounds, about half the weight of the next lightweight leg prosthetic.
The Ottobock partnership plans to fund an advanced motion analysis system featuring 3D motion-capture cameras, a force-sensing treadmill and a stairwell, among other tools. These help determine its overall usability for amputees and how the tech can be improved.
"This sponsorship will make the HGN Lab one of the best — if not the best — equipped lab in the world that is focused on assistive technologies and prosthetics," Lenzi said. "And we have a development agreement where engineers in my lab and from Ottobock's research-and-development division will work together to go from the current prototype of the Utah Bionic Leg and create a leg that will hopefully go on the market soon."
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