iWalk Powerfoot video Army

Here in this video our keen eye was correct regarding the reduction in ankle rocker and subsequent heel rise.  The video when the soldier is walking down the stairs (most notable for on the last step) gives an excellent example of what happens when ankle rocker (tibiotalar dorsiflexion) is impaired (this can look like another clinical condition called FootBaller’s ankle if a spur develops). See how much knee lift he has to generate, forced by the early heel rise.  Once again, still an amazing piece of engineering.

(* If the fabricators are reading this, we are here to help !  Start by moving that metal bar at the front of the “mortise” another few millimeters forward and you will get the extra few degrees to reduce that rocker/heel lift issue. This will smooth out mechanics at the hip and knee and add to user stability and balance.)

iWalk PowerFoot Gait Animation

Check out this 3 million dollar bionic foot! For a walking gait cycle (not running cycle) it shows excellent heel rocker; and the appearance of a little hallux limitus (an articulating first metatarsophalangeal joint with an eccentric axis is likely a bit complicated to produce)…….But, for all that money you would have thought they could have added more ankle rocker ! The model gets to what looks like about 110-115 degrees which is the lower limit of what is necessary. It is why you see such an early heel rise in the video.  Why don’t folks just call us…..we would have  taken $100,000 for a consulting fee on this one to help them get it right ! Despite its shortcomings, it is quite a remarkable piece of engineering, truly.