This project designs, fabricates, and completes engineering verification of a hydraulic actuator for a novel prosthetic ankle-foot system. The goal of this project is to improve balance and balance confidence of persons with lower extremity amputations by developing a prosthetic ankle that has biomimetic modes for walking and standing. This bimodal ankle provides flexibility for walking mobility and rigidity for standing stability. The objectives are to: (1) Develop (design and fabricate) a hydraulic actuator that allows movement for walking and restricts movement for standing; and (2) to perform engineering verification of the actuator assembly.
