Current prosthesis testing methods rely heavily on human subjects or limited mechanical setups that cannot consistently reproduce real-world gait conditions. Existing test rigs often focus on isolated joints, flat-ground walking, or single prosthesis types, making results difficult to compare and standardize. This lack of comprehensive, repeatable testing slows development, increases cost, and limits objective performance evaluation across prosthesis designs.
This technology provides a robotic test platform that realistically simulates lower-limb gait by combining a multi-axis ground simulator with a controllable loading unit representing the amputated limb. It supports both above-knee and below-knee prostheses, enabling multi-degree-of-freedom joint motion and variable loading conditions. Simulation-driven testing allows rapid configuration, repeatable experiments, and standardized performance evaluation without continuous amputee involvement.
This figure illustrates the high-level, simulation-driven workflow of the robotic test platform, showing how prosthesis configuration, virtual gait simulation, and real-time physical testing are integrated into a repeatable, standardized evaluation process.