AlterG’s ‘Bionic Leg’ rehabilitation aid is the only wearable, battery-powered robotic device that can sense the user’s intent to move and respond accordingly.

The device has been created for mobility impaired patients, such as those recovering from injury, or orthopaedic surgery, traumatic brain injury or a stroke. Designed to be easy to use, the use of motorised robotic technology strengthens the patient’s stance and improves strength, stability and gait.

Because of its capability to sense the patient’s movements, the Bionic Leg only assists when necessary, becoming a wearable mobility-training device.

The Bionic Leg was recently showcased at Leisure Industry Week, held at Birmingham’s NEC, along with AlterG’s Anti-Gravity Treadmill. Engineered by NASA, the treadmill uses Differential Air Pressure Technology to “unweight” the user by up to 80 per cent. This removes the impact on joints and muscles to provide a smooth recovery from injury or surgery or improve training and performance.

The treadmill was used by British 1500m runner Tom Lancashire to speed up his recovery from an achilles injury in 2012, enabling him to return to running six weeks earlier than he otherwise might have and achieve a B Standard for the Great Britain Olympic team.

“It allowed me to increase my mileage during training and whilst running on the machine my physio was able to assess my progress and watch my technique which accelerated my recovery,” said Lancashire.