Bionic leg’s pilot efficiency spotlights its know-how and the function of teamwork

One yr after the worldwide Cybathlon 2024 competitors, an Italian group has revealed a spotlight article in Science Robotics on the Omnia bionic leg, which took first place within the leg prosthesis race.

The article highlights the expertise of Andrea Modica, a transfemoral amputee and the machine’s pilot, who efficiently accomplished 9 out of 10 duties in 2 minutes and 57 seconds. The Omnia prosthesis was developed on the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT—Italian Institute of Expertise) by the joint Rehab Applied sciences IIT-INAIL Lab, coordinated by Matteo Laffranchi.

The Cybathlon 2024 marked the debut of Omnia, a novel decrease limb prosthetic prototype designed for people with transfemoral amputations. This technique features a knee (Unico) and an ankle (Armonico), each motorized. Omnia was the one machine to succeed in the “Leg Prosthesis” closing with out utilizing industrial parts. Its pilot, Andrea Modica, efficiently accomplished 9 out of 10 duties, together with navigating a stability beam whereas carrying buckets, ascending and descending stairs with objects, and traversing an inclined airplane.

Andrea Modica is a transfemoral amputee who misplaced his leg in a bike accident in 2021. Since then, Modica has proven outstanding dedication, first returning to sports activities, then progressing to Paralympic-level snowboarding, and entering into the world of aggressive prosthetic know-how. He’s at the moment a assist technician at Rehab Applied sciences—INAIL-IIT lab.

Modica was not solely the pilot for the Omnia system but additionally an energetic contributor to its design and optimization. His insights, gained by evaluating Omnia along with his daily-use prosthesis, helped the analysis group to form key enhancements in each the software program and {hardware} of the machine. From adjusting stiffness to fine-tuning propulsion, every part was tailor-made to match the various calls for of the Cybathlon’s obstacle-based duties. Throughout months of coaching, Modica repeatedly practiced every job to enhance precision, effectivity, and security.

Reflecting on the occasion, Andrea Modica described it as a deeply significant expertise, not only for the achievement, however for the neighborhood he discovered amongst different rivals. His function in shaping Omnia exemplifies IIT’s user-centered philosophy, the place real-world suggestions drives innovation.

The standout function of the Omnia system is the communication between the 2 prosthetic parts, Unico and Armonico, which change data from built-in sensors and alter parameters for optimum efficiency throughout numerous duties. The Unico knee combines hydraulic and electrical applied sciences. The hydraulic system successfully aids in stage strolling or descending, guaranteeing quiet, easy motion and power effectivity.

In distinction, {the electrical} know-how, supported by a patented system, offers energetic help throughout duties corresponding to climbing stairs, ascending steep slopes, or standing from a seated place. Within the full Omnia leg configuration, the transition between hydraulic and electrical modes happens robotically, due to the synergy of the 2 prostheses and superior carried out algorithms.

The Unico prosthesis is provided with a battery that lasts a full day below most utilization and is appropriate for each proper and left knee prosthetics, supporting as much as 125 kilograms. The machine is customizable primarily based on the consumer’s peak and might be adjusted on the software program stage to match every day exercise patterns, whether or not sedentary or energetic.

The Armonico ankle options an elastic foot coupled with an progressive screw mechanism, aiding the consumer through the preliminary foot strike by decreasing heel influence for enhanced consolation and stopping tripping by lifting the toe throughout every step. In contrast to passive foot prostheses, Armonico actively amplifies the ankle’s flexion angle, offering enhanced stability on sloped surfaces and guaranteeing a extra pure motion. It’s accessible in each proper and left configurations and has a battery lifetime of 24 hours.