Artificial smart limbs that can move 100 metres with little assistance have been developed by ISRO

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on Friday that it had created a microprocessor-controlled knee (MPK) that is ten times less expensive than ones that are imported.

New Delhi :  The MPK will gain from above-knee amputees walking with a natural stride, claims the ISRO. The artificial limb with microprocessors gives the amputee more capabilities than the passive limbs without microprocessors do. According to the space agency, the MPK allowed an amputee to move roughly 100 metres along a hallway without much assistance, and work is being done to improve the performance.

                Under an MOU with the National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (NILD), Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities (PDUNIPPD (D)), and the Artificial Limb Manufacturing Corporation of India, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO, is developing these smart MPKs (ALIMCO).

              A microprocessor, hydraulic damper, load sensor, knee angle sensor, composite knee case, lithium-ion battery, electrical harness, and interface components make up an MPK. Based on the sensor data, the microprocessor determines the gait state. The system stiffness is changed by a hydraulic damper driven by a DC motor, and the control software calculates the real-time damping required to achieve the desired gait. To increase comfort, walking settings that are specific to amputees can be modified using PC-based software. While walking, the interface graphs the parameters in real-time.

                     The artificial limb was tested with an amputee who was chosen by NILD for conducting walking trials after the MPK had been tested with a healthy subject. The NILD and the VSSC jointly conducted the testing at a NILD lab. The amputee's MPK socket and fitting were realised by the NILD.

          The VSSC adjusted parameters for amputees. Initial walking tests were carried out with parallel bars for support. The amputee could then go around the corridor for roughly 100 metres with the least amount of assistance. The knee's various components operated successfully.

              According to ISRO, the MPKs that are now offered in India are imported and range in price from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 60 lakh depending on their capability and complexity. Once commercialised, it is anticipated that the ISRO MPKs will cost between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 5 lakh.

             MPKs are currently being optimised for mass and envelope size. According to ISRO, the technology is being given a boost in intelligence to provide the amputee with sophisticated features for more comfort while they navigate rocky terrain. ISRO did not, however, provide a timeframe for the release of the final, commercial-ready product.

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