iWalk to release PowerFoot One prosthetic foot

It looks like some researchers at MIT and Brown University are about to see the fruits of their labor become commercially available, with upstart iWalk set to release the PowerFoot One prosthetic foot jointly developed by the two. Unlike similar devices, the PowerFoot One uses "tendon-like" springs and an electric motor to help propel the person forward, which supposedly reduces fatigue, improves balance and gives the wearer with a more fluid gait. A mix of sensors and specialized control algorithms also ensure that the person stays balanced while walking on slopes or stairs. While there's no word on what it'll cost, it should be commercially available sometime next summer.

[Via Gadget Lab]

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 24th 2007 1:52PM]

My best friend recently lost both legs below the knee to a vascular disease.

I hope they become readily available soon at a decent price, although I'm sure it still won't be cheap.

GO M.I.T.!

[Hastings @ Jul 24th 2007 1:54PM]

Apple's lawyers aren't going to be very happy about that name. iSmellaLawsuit

[riggs @ Jul 24th 2007 2:07PM]

i officially hate the "i" term now.

[Jason @ Jul 24th 2007 2:10PM]

I don't know exactly why this is always the case, but why can't they incorporate some kind of composite material to emulate eh...well...skin? I'm not down playing how remarkable this product is, I would just like to see it in the form of something that doesnt look like it just walked off the set of star wars, no pun intended.

[Natedog @ Jul 24th 2007 2:13PM]

I've wondered the same thing. They could at least make it fit in a shoe.

[derek @ Jul 24th 2007 2:25PM]

Well I'm guessing it has something to do with the sensors... but I don't know.

[StrangeBum @ Jul 24th 2007 2:49PM]

I don't get it either.

They either need to start putting some sort of prosthetic skin on these things, or convince Nike, Vans or just shoe companies in general to start making shoes that look like robotic feet, that way it all matches.

But MIT has been churning out some really great stuff recently, and this is a major step forward as far as prosthetic limbs go.

MIT FTW!

[mattnico @ Jul 24th 2007 3:25PM]

They never really said that it wouldn't fit in a shoe. Remember that these pictures are promotional pictures, therefore they're going to show the product. If they shoved it into a shoe you wouldn't be able to see the mechanics of it, which is what their promotion of it is all about. I'll bet it fits in a shoe just fine as long as there isn't a camera crew there trying to get pictures of it.

[Grey Acumen @ Jul 24th 2007 4:30PM]

I see it being fairly simple to take a shoe and rip the sole off, then use velcro or something to attach the shoe to this so it looks relatively natural. Keep in mind, if you decrease the size a bit, you could theoretically just build a skin toned sleeve to fit over the thing. But unless you build this using the exact same mechanics as a real foot, you're never going to get something that doesn't look either robotic, or like there's something seriously malformed about your foot anyway.
Personally, I'd rather have the prosthetic so that it's obvious that it's a prosthetic so people can confirm what is wrong and go about their lives, rather than continuing to stare cause they can't figure out why the one foot doesn't quite look right.

[Sean @ Jul 24th 2007 5:03PM]

Why would you want to cover it up with a shoe or something if it looks like a sweet robot. I predict robotic limbs will be come fashionable soon. People will even wear clothes that look like robotic limbs to be cool. Think ... Nintendo PowerGlove, but better.

I personally wouldn't want to cover up my robocop foot. Nobody knows it's not enhanced to launch me higher in a jump or kick through their shin.

[Glenn @ Jul 24th 2007 2:35PM]

Who knew? _Inspector_Gadget_ would turn out to be a sci-fi movie.

All kidding aside, this is good news for individuals needing prosthetic devices; and these devices will only improve over time as the technologies used to create them advance (and costs less).

All we'll have to do is keep the lawyers out of it (and everything else).

[Stan Winstone @ Jul 24th 2007 2:57PM]

Anyone want to venture a guess if veterans will get a free one for proudly serving the powers that GWB? Doubt it...

[Grey Acumen @ Jul 24th 2007 6:21PM]

Why so doubtful? Isn't congress in charge of passing bills like that? Last I recall democrats had control of that, and they're all about helping disadvantaged people, right?

[hn333 @ Jul 24th 2007 8:23PM]

Will this work with my iPhone?

[gaoande @ Jul 25th 2007 3:30AM]

Promotional materials for prosthetics often show the feet / knees / whatever in their "exposed" state. A cosmetic cover is usually provided for the finished product, but these aren't as cool to look at.

[troy.turner @ Jul 25th 2007 6:45AM]

The DoD is investing significant funding in researching development of advanced prosthetics, and is always very interested in devices and ideas such as this one.

Also, "prosthetic skin" (also called "cosmesis") is being developed which serves as not just a cosmetic covering for the prosthetic device, but as a functioning component of the device. Some of these include cosmetic coverings which contain touch/feel sensors, temperature sensors, proprioception-related sensors, etc.

And the notion that robotic prosthetics may become preferred is not at all far-fetched. It may soon be that someone could see restored or even increased quality of life with these devices compared to diseased or otherwise disabled limbs.

[Blake @ Aug 7th 2007 4:16PM]

Expanding on turner. . .

This is the first of a number of new commercial releases we will be seeing from this industry. As with most R&D driven industries, the first products will have a more functional purpose, with each iteration becoming more polished.

Prosthetics are a culmination of numerous, individual, technologies; cosmesis is a subcategory of materials engineering. As other technologies are developed (whether specifically for prosthetics or on their own) they will be then be integrated. It is important to note that even without such technologies, products like the iwalk (and others to come) represent a monumental step forward; especially in an industry that has, for so long, lagged behind.

Turner: you seem to have a good grasp on the current state of the O&P industry. What is your background?

[troy.turner @ Aug 8th 2007 12:45AM]

Hi Blake, you're coment is very timely. I had forgotten about this article, or my coment. But things now come full circle...

I spent last week in Vancouver, BC at the Int'l Society for Prosthetics & Orthotics conference. During a conversation with an acquaintance, I discovered that he is one of the main folks behind iWalk, if not the primary "brain". I'm very impressed with his work, and that he is his own toughest "test subject" for his prosthetic prototypes, includig the foot he was wearing during the conference. I work for a DoD organization managing an Advanced Prosthetics and Human Performance research portfolio. We provide funding for and manage P&O-related research efforts. In fact, we are currently providing funding for research to this person that I believe will end up incorporated into the iWalk line. Let's go off-line for more discussion, if you'd like. My email is [e-mail]