Low-Cost Bionic Ankle
Addressing the critical need for affordable prosthetic solutions, this study focuses on the development of a low-cost bionic ankle, aiming to aid financially disadvantaged individuals. Building on the pioneering work of the University of Michigan research team, which significantly reduced the cost of bionic legs and ankles compared to existing commercial alternatives, our goal is to further decrease expenses. Utilizing the university’s open-source design, we incorporated 3D printing techniques, lower-cost actuators, and other cost-effective strategies. Our efforts resulted in an 81.15% overall cost reduction from the original design. These promising results not only confirm the feasibility of producing more affordable bionic ankles but also offer hope to those economically disadvantaged, potentially increasing accessibility to advanced prosthetic technologies.
Project Details
- Student(s): Angelo S. Yaghi, Lea H. Youssef Baby, and Fadi A. Kaafarani
- Advisor(s): Dr. Noel Maalouf
- Year: 2023-2024