Bio-inspired prosthetic knee joint with pressure sensor-controlled actuation for enhanced human-robot interaction

Rose, Michael; Jafari, Aghil; Atoofi, Maryam; Mikhail, Ghaly; Etoundi, Appolinaire

Abstract

The advancement of prosthetics has empowered above-knee amputees to engage in daily activities with minimal disruption. This paper presents the design of a bio-inspired knee joint for prosthetic applications, integrating force-sensitive resistors (FSRs) within the prosthetic socket to monitor pressure during the gait cycle. The sensors actuate the knee joint to mimic natural locomotion, enhancing human-robot interaction. The proposed design leverages MRI-based anatomical insights and combines mechanical and electronic components to deliver a smoother, more natural gait for trans-femoral amputees. Initial experiments demonstrate promising results, providing a robust platform for future developments in bioinspired and biomimetic robotics.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: The 11th International Conference on Automation, Robotics, and Applications (ICARA 2025)
• Start Date: Feb 12, 2025
• End Date: Feb 14, 2025
• Acceptance Date: Jan 6, 2025
• Deposit Date: Feb 11, 2025
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13739194