Mind-Controlled bionic ankle takes steps toward feeling like the real thing
NCT ID NCT07645729
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Researchers at MIT are testing a powered ankle prosthesis that uses nerve signals for control and provides skin sensations to the user. Ten people with below-knee amputations will compare this bionic ankle to their regular prosthetic during walking and other tasks. The goal is to see if the device feels more natural and improves movement, which could guide future designs for better daily use.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Powered ankle prosthesis with neural recording and cutaneous stimulation
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward more natural and intuitive bionic limbs that feel like part of the body.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small early study (10 people) testing feasibility, not a treatment. The device may not work for everyone or in daily life.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
MIT Media Lab
RECRUITINGCambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, United States
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