Improving control of powered prosthetic legs for better daily activities
Official title: End-to-end Impedance Modeling Towards Task-Invariant Control of Powered Prosthetic Legs
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11159232 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to make powered prosthetic legs easier and more comfortable to use for people with lower-limb loss, so they can move smoothly between different activities like walking, climbing stairs, and going up ramps without any hassle.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $73,828 |
| NIH project number | 1F32HD116414-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11159232 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have experienced a transfemoral amputation and use powered prosthetic legs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have lower-limb amputations or who use non-powered prosthetics may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the functionality of powered prosthetic legs for individuals with lower-limb loss by developing a new control system that integrates various movement tasks into a single, seamless operation. Currently, prosthetic legs rely on separate control strategies for different activities, which can lead to errors and discomfort. The project will explore the relationship between leg movements and prosthetic joint settings to create a more intuitive control method that allows users to perform daily activities like walking, climbing stairs, and navigating ramps without interruption. By focusing on continuous control rather than task-specific approaches, this research seeks to improve the overall user experience for amputees.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the mobility and quality of life for individuals using powered prosthetic legs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing advanced control systems for prosthetics, indicating that this approach could lead to meaningful advancements in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Posh, Ryan Richard — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Posh, Ryan Richard
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.