WASHINGTON: Engineers at Carnegie Mellon University have recently developed a mechanical exoskeleton boot that, in comparison to normal footwear, reduces the energy expenditure of walking by 7 percent. The device is the first of its kind to not rely on an outside power source.
In the exoskeleton boot, a mechanical clutch is used to hold a spring that expands and contracts during ankle movements. When a person swings their leg forward to walk, the clutch locks into place and the spring expands, allowing the spring to store elastic energy. Once the leg pushes down on the ground, propelling the body forward, the clutch loosens and the elastic energy is released as the spring slackens. In turn, this process can reduce the energy needed from the wearer’s calf muscle.
The team hopes their product will be commercially available to consumers who want to improve walking efficiency, particularly those with walking difficulties. A report was published in the journal Nature.
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