Ossur's new POWER KNEE prosthesis sports A.I., motorized actuators
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Apr 21st 2009 2:43PM
posted Apr 21st 2009 2:43PM
Perhaps it's a sobering reminder of the world we live in, but we've seen prosthetic technology grow in leaps and bounds over the last couple years. Continuing the upward arc, Ossur has just announced its second generation POWER KNEE device. Developed in partnership with Victhom Human Bionics, the device is billed as "the world's first and only motor-powered, artificially intelligent prosthesis for above-knee amputees." Features include: advanced torque and accelerometer sensors that keep an eye on the ground level and compensate accordingly; actuators that actively lift and stimulate the users own muscles for walking up stairs, inclines and ramps; and what the company is calling its "artificial intelligence" features, which allow the device to "observe the whole state of the respective human-system interface." Currently in use at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, a full commercial release is expected by 2010.
Guy: hi uh, i lost my leg. I want to get one of those new prosthetics.
Insurance: sorry we only cover wooden peg legs.
youre our new peg boy
And that will be $1,500 after your deductible. Thank you for choosing American Health Insurance Inc. !
overclock that bitch!
...and only particle board, none of that fancy real wood...
Damn, that thing's beefy. I wonder if it has adjustable weights so if you still have one leg, it doesn't feel off balance. So all we need now is a robotic torso + robo hips and he have most of a terminator. Awesome.
I feel very optimistic about the future of pessimism.
There is video linked from the victhom page: http://www.victhom.com/en/bionic-prosthesis-orthosis/index.php. Pretty cool stuff.
Wonder how loud it gets.
The guys in the video seem to limp a bit on their new leg, but it looks pretty awesome apart from that.
Noise level would be interesting, but I think better questions would be: how long does the battery for the motor last, and what happens when it runs out?
Hmm. Seems to kick forward a bit fast/far ob the retuen stroke. Hope that's a firmware issue, or excess chafing is going to be a real problem for cup socket users.
Actually, why aren't they using the transcutaneous bone socket technique for these guys?
It looks like a fancy hair clipper.
It looks like a fancy hair clipper.
Goddamn engadgets comment system... AND IE8!!! I'm goin back to safari!
That would be awesome if I was missing a leg. Hopefully it doesn't go all "Skynet" on you.
looks like someone is "stepping up to the plate"...
The T-70 is just around the corner...how I love technology.
I hope they give you a kicking for that awful pun.
Now we need the power arm...
Thank you SKY NET !!
What is it with these bad names. Victhome? NexToDi? etc...
You're as vapid as your avatar would imply. Ah well, [ ! ] clicked.
Next time link your sites in English please, thanks.
Skyn...eh nvm
The stock price of one of the developers, Victhom (running at .03 - .05), seems out of place with how awesome this leg seems. Makes me question this product and company...
In Soviet Russia.. prosthetic limb controls you!
The one-legged man from the ass kicking contest wants a rematch.
Robocop wants his leg back
This is awesome.
the headquarters of the company MICROSOFT are located in REDMOND, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES of AMERICA, EARTH, MILKY WAY
ROBOTECH shouts out to the above mentioned.
tomo
san francisco, ca