Engineers develop affordable ankle exoskeleton

Engineers at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, have developed an unpowered, lightweight, affordable ankle exoskeleton that can be worn discretely under clothing and enhance lower leg strength. The device weighs less than 500g and costs under $100 to manufacture. It is made of a friction clutch, about as thick as a shoe insole, that sits under the sole of the foot, connected to an assistive spring and a soft shank sleeve that wraps around the calf.
Karl Zelik, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Vanderbilt, said: “Our design is lightweight, low profile, quiet, uses no motor or batteries, it is low cost to manufacture, and naturally adapts to different walking speeds to assist the ankle muscles. It could also help reduce fatigue in occupations that involve lots of walking, such as postal and warehouse workers, and soldiers in the field.”