Researchers at the University of Twente and university medical center Radboudumc, the Netherlands, are developing a new generation of prosthetic technology: a bionic foot that closely replicates the body’s natural walking motion. The goal of the “autonomous leg” is to help people regain a smooth and effortless gait after a foot amputation
Unlike passive prostheses or devices built on fixed movement rules, the bionic foot uses a neuromechanical model inspired by the spinal cord’s central pattern generators—neural networks that automatically produce rhythmic motions such as walking.
“We aim to build a system that functions as naturally and intuitively as possible, without requiring users to consciously control each step,” said Massimo Sartori, PhD, professor of neuromuscular robotics and engineering, University of Twente.
In an initial treadmill study, a test participant walked at different speeds using the bionic prototype. The system rhythmically activated the muscles at the front and back of the lower leg, enabling a more natural walking pattern. “This approach could ultimately reduce fatigue by lowering the cognitive effort traditionally required when using a prosthesis,” said Ruud Leijendekkers, PT, PhD, associate professor and physical therapist, Radboudumc.
The next development step involves creating a fully stand‑alone, mobile system that includes integrated sensors, a compact computer, and a long‑lasting battery, so testing can move from the lab to real‑life environments.
The strategic collaboration between the two groups, called HealthTech Nexus, was created to address unmet healthcare needs. The development is part of the European SimBionics project, conducted in collaboration with Ottobock; Aalborg University, Denmark; and Roessingh Rehabilitation Centre.
Editor’s note: This story was adapted from materials provided by the University of Twente.
To learn more, read “The bionic foot: Technology that helps restore a natural step” in Dutch.
To watch a video about the work, visit the University of Twente’s website.
