Technology that moves – prosthetics from high-tech to everyday life

What do a carved toe from ancient Egypt, a wooden war prosthesis from the Middle Ages and an AI-controlled prosthetic foot from the 21st century have in common? They all tell the story of how humans have always strived to move around independently – with aids that connect body and technology.

Today, intelligent sensors, neuro-controlled interfaces and individually manufactured high-tech components enable aids that increasingly adapt to natural movement sequences. What was once rigid and functional is now smart, adaptable and intuitive to use – and opens new spaces for mobility, participation and everyday independence.

But how did it all begin and what has brought prosthetics to where it is today? This timeline shows important stages in the history of prosthetics: from the first archaeological finds to modern high-tech systems.

A control system for prostheses that reads nerve signals directly from the body – for intuitive, almost thought-based operation. This is exactly what the US start-up Phantom Neuro is developing. Ottobock is on board as a lead investor and is currently expanding its portfolio in this area with the new Taleo Adapt – a hydraulic prosthetic foot with an ankle joint that adapts to uneven terrain and improves gait.

Sensors and algorithms that analyze muscle activity and thus improve the fit and function of prostheses – this is what the start-ups MuscleMetrix and BionicSkins are working on, also with the support of Ottobock. The aim: a dynamic socket that adapts to everyday life. Ottobock is expanding this approach for younger users with new child-friendly solutions such as the movido knee joint and the Maverick junior – lightweight, robust and specially made for adventure.

The flexible SoftFoot Pro prosthesis imitates the natural rolling of the human foot – without a motor, just a clever design. It was developed by the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia and the University of Pisa. The special feature: The prosthetic foot is also suitable for humanoid robots and shows how often technology can learn from nature.

With the exomotion® hand one, HKK Bionics offers a motorized orthosis for paralyzed hands. It is custom-made, can be controlled intuitively and supports people with neurological limitations in gripping and holding anything from a glass of water to a toothbrush.

New interfaces should make it possible to not only grasp but also feel with prostheses. Researchers in Vienna, California and Kaiserslautern are working on solutions that combine sensory feedback, neural decoding and smart control. Projects such as HelpMeWalk also show how digital care processes can accompany and improve therapies in the future.

What was once a vision is now a reality in many cases – and is bringing smart tools into the everyday lives of people all over the world.

In March 2023, Abdoulie Minteh from Gambia lost his left leg above the knee following an accident. A high-quality prosthetic fitting was hardly possible locally, so the 39-year-old came to Germany through family contacts. There, he received a customized prosthesis at the Optimus medical supply store and trained to use it safely at the Neuron therapy center.

The father, who works for the West African Examinations Council, remained in close contact with his family in Gambia throughout the rehabilitation phase. His employer covered the treatment costs – a support that gave him access to modern orthopaedic technology in the first place.

After eight weeks, he was able to move around again without a walking aid. "This prosthesis gives me back a bit of independence," says Minteh. "It's a great feeling to be able to walk again. And I'm sure that I'll get a piece of my old life back in my home country."

At the age of eight, Claire Horsbrugh was diagnosed with a tumor in the left side of her brain. As a result, she developed epilepsy and hemiplegia, which increasingly affected her everyday life. She was later able to walk again with the help of functional electrical stimulation, but grasping remained a challenge.

Since 2023, the 25-year-old from Oldenburg, Germany, has been wearing an exomotion® hand one electronic orthosis. This allows her to use her paralyzed right hand as an assistant hand again – and she is experiencing noticeable changes:

"The exomotion® hand one is the first hand orthosis that really helps me and that's exactly why I'm so committed to HKK Bionics. It's not just any aid, but the first one that allows me to actively do things again. It changes my everyday life and also my self-image," says Claire. "It's particularly important to me that it doesn't look so medical. Sure, it's noticeable, but that's what makes it special for me. I no longer look ill, I look unique. The orthosis is a strong statement for me. It's an aid that supports me, but doesn't define me."

The history of prosthetics is a history of progress: from functional emergency solutions to highly developed technology that adapts ever better to the individual needs of its users. What was once mechanical and rigid, is now dynamic, adaptive and thinking.

Whether through AI, neural interfaces or biomechanical designs, modern assistive technologies have long been more than just replacements. They are tools for self-determination, movement and social participation. And they show how technology can not only be oriented towards people but also grow with them.

Central questions remain:

• How accessible are such technologies worldwide?
• What ethical standards are needed for digitalized prosthetics?
• And how can innovations be designed in such a way that they really help people – not just technically, but also socially?

The next chapters of prosthetics will not only be written in laboratories, but in the dialog between research, practice and everyday life. And this is exactly where the future of mobility begins.