Mechanical Foot

Electronic Brain in an Artificial Foot

Nytimes.com

Scientists have developed a new prosthetic foot that better simulates natural movement when walking for amputees. The foot contains motion sensors and software wired in to help reclaim lost muscle function and keep track of its location while walking. The accelerometer measures the foot more than 1,000 times a second to be aware of its exact location in the walking pattern. Depending on the pressure exerted by the weight of the body and the sensory input, the foot will flex and extend to better promote natural walking. The motor located in the heel actually changes the angle of the foot and the heel is specially designed for shock absorption. This allows for the prosthetic foot to act more like a natural foot and create a better gait.

This is applicable to Netwon’s 3^rd law, equal and opposite because the person walking is putting their weight on the ground and the ground is giving an equal and opposite force back up, normal force. The weight force is the person’s weight downward while the normal force is equal in the upward direction. Even when a person is walking up the hill, their body is exerting force causing them to move against gravity. The forces are still equal and opposite, but the normal force is perpendicular to the person, so it is at a slight angle.

But sadly, not everyone can afford this mechanical foot, since it costs thousands of dollars. Hopefully these new innovations in science can help amputees walk easier.