# Energy-Recycling Prosthetics Artificial Foot Makes Walking Easier for Amputees By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-02-22 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/energy-recycling-prosthetics References: [plosone.org](http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0009307) & [physorg](http://www.physorg.com/news185607252.html) An energy-recycling artificial foot redirects energy that is usually wasted between steps to make walking easier for amputees. The foot’s creators, Kuo and Steve Collins, engineered a way to put the 23% of walking energy wasted with a standard prosthesis to work increasing the push-off power of the ankle. A microcontroller properly times and routes the captured energy to the [prosthetic foot system](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gait-rehabilitation-system) to make the increased push-off power possible. The [Seattle Veterans Affairs Medical Center](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/echo-pops) is currently testing the artificial foot and an Ann Arbor company is considering a variation of the energy-recycling prosthetics design for commercial production. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.3/10 - Popularity: 31% | Activity: 29% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Energy-recycling Prosthetics:** Opportunity for developing innovative prosthetic technologies that recycle and redirect wasted walking energy. - **Improved Mobility for Amputees:** Opportunity for creating technologies that enhance walking abilities and increase quality of life for amputees. - **Efficient Energy Management in Prosthetics:** Opportunity for developing energy-efficient prosthetic devices that optimize power usage. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Healthcare:** Opportunity for healthcare companies to invest in research and development of energy-recycling prosthetics. - **Prosthetics Manufacturing:** Opportunity for prosthetics manufacturing companies to integrate energy-recycling technologies into their product offerings. - **Medical Device Technology:** Opportunity for medical device technology companies to develop innovative energy management systems for prosthetic devices. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Robotic Brace Walking Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-project-amplify.md) - [Modular Slip-Proof Prosthetic Legs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lytra-prosthetic-leg.md) - [Adaptive Swim Prosthetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-nimble.md) - [AI-Powered Walking Aids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/legit-walking.md) - [Celebrated Athletic Prosthetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ffate.md) - [Advanced Knee Joint Exoskeletons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/knee-joint-exoskeleton.md) - [Tech-Forward Innovative Recovery Boots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/innovative-Recovery-boot.md) - [Stride-Assisting Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/evolve-mvmt.md) - [Smart Stride-Assisting Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hurotics-hfit.md)