HOUGHTON, MI (AP)-- A mechanical engineer and his team at Michigan Technological University are developing a prosthetic ankle with an artificial vision system.
Mo Rastgaar says the key components of the robotic ankle will be an inexpensive camera and a computer-controlled mechanical device. He says the two components will adjust the ankle's positioning through a system of cables.
Rastgaar says the camera will identify the profile of the ground and apply the necessary angle and stiffness to the ankle.
The Houghton school says the ankle will adapt to any given situation, whether the user is climbing stairs or stepping over a pothole.