DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENTRY-LEVEL ROBOTIC PROSTHETIC FOOT SUPPORTED BY THE TOE AND METATARSAL BONES

this study, a bio-inspired design was introduced to fabricate an inexpensive robotic prosthetic foot. Toe joints and torsion springs improve gait stability and propulsion. Additionally, the metatarsal design shifts the power point from the tip of the toe to the head of the metatarsal bone, reducing the strength of the material required. Measurements showed a tensile strength of 602.0 MPa. A finite element analysis was performed for the toe-off situation, and the validity of the material with a tensile strength of 33.23 MPa and a safety factor of 3.02 or more was proven at the part where the most stress occurred. To recognize the gait phase, a pressure sensor was used to detect foot contact with the ground. As a result of comparing the results of the gait recognition test with the acupressure change data when a person is walking, similar FSR responses to acupressure were shown at each location. Finally, it showed the possibility of providing an entry-level robotic prosthetic foot at a manufacturing price of $500.