ISRO develops the microprocessor-controlled smart limbs

As a spin-off of space technology, the Indian Space Research Organisation said on Friday that it has developed very smart and intelligent artificial limbs. They will be commercialized very soon and are expected to be cheaper by about 10 times. They will also benefit above-knee amputees by walking with a very comfortable gait, ISRO said. 

 

These microprocessor knees offer more extended capabilities for the amputee than the rest offered by the passive limbs, which do not use microprocessors. Thus, for about 1.6 kg, MPK enabled an amputee to walk about 100 meters in the corridor for minimum support. Efforts to improvise the performance are already underway. 

 

Let us tell you that these smart MPKs are developed by the ISRO Vikram Sarabhai Centre (VSSC) and under an MOU with NILD, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Personals with Physical Disabilities and Artificial Limb Manufacturing Corporation of India. 

 

The MPK consists of a microprocessor, hydraulic damper, load and knee angle sensors, composite knee-case, Li-ion battery, electrical harness, and a lot more. This microprocessor detects the state of gait based on the sensor data and controls the software to estimate the real-time damping needed to attain the desired gait. All this is achieved by changing the stiffness of the system as achieved by a hydraulic damper operated by a DC motor. 

 

Walking parameters specific to amputees can be set using PC-based software to improve one’s comfort, and the interface plots the parameters in real-time during walking. 

 

FAQ

• What is the new invention of the ISRO?

Ans. Microprocessor-controlled smart limbs

• What is the other name of the smart microprocessor-controlled smart limbs?

Ans. MPKs

• What is the weight of the MPKs?

Ans. 1.6 kg