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Dynamic Locomotion Article How knee muscles and ground reaction forces shape knee buckling and ankle push-off in neuromuscular simulations of human walking Buchmann, A., Kiss, B., Badri-Spröwitz, A., Renjewski, D. Scientific Reports, 15:2249, January 2025 (Published)
Ankle push-off is important for efficient, human-like walking, and many prosthetic devices mimic push-off using motors or elastic elements. The knee is extended throughout the stance phase and begins to buckle just before push-off, with timing being crucial. However, the exact mechanisms behind this buckling are still unclear. We use a predictive neuromuscular simulation to investigate whether active muscles are required for knee buckling and to what extent ground reaction forces (GRFs) drive it. In a systematic parameter search, we tested how long the knee muscles vastus (VAS), gastrocnemius (GAS), and hamstrings could be deactivated while maintaining a stable gait with impulsive push-off. VAS deactivation up to 35\% of the gait cycle resulted in a dynamic gait with increased ankle peak power. GAS deactivation up to 20\% of the gait cycle was detrimental to gait efficiency and showed reduced ankle peak power. At the start of knee buckling, the GRF vector is positioned near the knee joint’s neutral axis, assisting in knee flexion. However, this mechanism is likely not enough to drive knee flexion independently. Our findings contribute to the biomechanical understanding of ankle push-off, with applications in prosthetic and bipedal robotic design, and fundamental research on human gait mechanics.
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Dynamic Locomotion Book Special issue on embodied intelligence-understanding animal locomotion and its robotic implementations Manoonponga, P., Badri-Spröwitz, A., Owaki, D. Advanced Robotics, 39:1-2, Taylor & Francis and RSJ, Milton, January 2025 (Published)
Embodied Intelligence (EI)’ refers to the innate ability of animals to utilize their body structures and interact with their environment (morphological computation) in conjunction with their brain and nervous systems (neural computation). This synergy enables them to achieve flexible, versatile, and robust locomotion, and allows them to learn and perform complex tasks throughout their lives. In modern robotics, where artificial intelligence (AI) is the driver for transformative advancements, the harmonious and continuous dynamic interaction between neural computation (including control, memory, and plasticity), the physical (flexible) body, and the environment – collectively referred to as ‘embodiment’ – remains a fundamental principle. Given that animals exhibit adaptive movement strategies across diverse real-world scenarios, understanding these strategies can pave the way for innovative robotic systems that reflect ‘nature intelligence’.
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Dynamic Locomotion Conference Paper Bird-inspired tendon coupling improves paddling efficiency by shortening phase transition times Lin, J., Zhao, G., Badri-Spröwitz, A. Proceedings of ICRA 2025, 6, arxiv, NY, ICRA, 2025 (Accepted)
Drag-based swimming with rowing appendages, fins, and webbed feet is a widely adapted locomotion form in aquatic animals. To develop effective underwater and swimming vehicles, a wide range of bioinspired drag-based paddles have been proposed, often faced with a trade-off between propulsive efficiency and versatility. Webbed feet provide an effective propulsive force in the power phase, are light weight and robust, and can even be partially folded away in the recovery phase. However, during the transition between recovery and power phase, much time is lost folding and unfolding, leading to drag and reducing efficiency. In this work, we took inspiration from the coupling tendons of aquatic birds and utilized tendon coupling mechanisms to shorten the transition time between recovery and power phase. Results from our hardware experiments show that the proposed mechanisms improve propulsive efficiency by 2.0 and 2.4 times compared to a design without extensor tendons or based on passive paddle, respectively. We further report that distal leg joint clutching, which has been shown to improve efficiency in terrestrial walking, did not play an major role in swimming locomotion. In sum, we describe a new principle for an efficient, drag-based leg and paddle design, with potential relevance for the swimming mechanics in aquatic birds.
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