Low cost, less weight; ISRO develops smart artificial limbs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ISRO, which has gained world attention for building low-cost rockets and satellites, has developed high-quality microchip-controlled artificial smart limbs at low cost. The smart limbs developed by ISRO can be sold for less than Rs 5 lakhs. Smart artificial limbs usually cost up to Rs 60 lakh when imported as they are not manufactured in India.

Smart Limbs are developed using microprocessor, hydraulic damper, load and knee angle sensors, composite knee case, lithium-ion battery, electrical harness and interface components used in various stages of rockets. The artificial limbs were developed by the ISRO itself for use in satellite launch rockets. It is cheaper and has less weight. It will last longer.

The artificial limb, weighing just 1.6 kg, was developed at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram. ISRO has tested this technique using a differently abled person after obtaining approval from the Joint Project Monitoring Committee to conduct walking trials. Initial tests were conducted with a parallel support. A differently-abled person walked 100 meters using this artificial limb with minimal support. According to scientists, all the mechanisms of the knee worked satisfactorily.

The newly announced technology is called microprocessor-controlled knees (MPK). ISRO promises that it will be more effective than artificial limbs that do not use microprocessors. Walking limits can be set for people with limited mobility using PC-based software. These limits will change in real-time during the walk. The feasibility of this design was verified using an engineering model.

The Vikram Sarabhai Space Center under ISRO has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities, Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities and the Artificial Limb Manufacturing Corporation of India to manufacture it on a commercial scale.