|
Not a member yet? Register
for full benefits! |
|
|
|
|
VR Interfaces: Jaipur Foot
Overview
Created in 1971, the Jaipur Foot is a prosthetic for the third world. Cheap
to make, locally manufactured, and completely, deliberately unpatented. Named
after the small town of Jaipur where it was invented, the foot was the brainchild
of Dr. Sethi.
25 countries across the developing world use this foot, which is unautomated,
possesses no AI, no load calibration, no haptic control. It is basic, but so
is the price tag - 30 usd each. Ideal for the environment in which they are
needed.
Simple and cheap does not have to equal a rigid foot however. This lesson has
seemingly been forgotten in many modern prosthetic designs. A foot made out
of several pieces of vulcanized rubber, connected and infilled with sponge rubber.
The joints between the two are the same as the joints with an organic foot,
allowing the foot to flex and bend as pressure is exerted, in natural ways.
It may be worn with shoes or without shoes depending on the desire and the need
of the patients.
It is very flexible, allowing the wearer to run, climb trees or even pedal.
It is well suited to the needs of many Asian countries in which most people
sit, eat, sleep and pray on the floor. Using the Jaipur foot, a Bollywood actor
and dancer, Sudha Chandra, was even able to perform a demanding dance sequence
in the movie musical "Nache Mayuri." |
|
|