Demystifying Biarticular Actuation

The importance of biarticular actuation is one of the many biomechanical mysteries of human locomotion. This is of paramount importance to individuals with trans-tibial amputation who lose the function of the gastrocnemius, which actuates the ankle and knee joint simultaneously. Karl Zelik and his team at Vanderbilt University are leveraging emulation to systematically explore these relationships, expanding our knowledge of this essential physiology and informing the design of future wearable systems that could utilize biarticular actuation to deliver greater energetic and other benefits to individuals.