Estimation of Actuation System Parameters for Prosthetic Ankle

The loss in mobility following amputation results in a degradation of the quality of life of the amputees as it affects many aspects of their personal and professional lives. Lower limb prostheses are used to replace the lost limbs and assist amputees in restoring their missing mobility functions. Despite the current technological advances in prosthetics, amputees still suffer from gait asymmetry and high metabolic energy costs. The gait asymmetry pattern and high metabolic energy costs occur due to: the inability to deliver the required level of assistance/power at the right time and the inertia and mass distribution asymmetry between the intact and the prosthetic leg.