• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Your Membership
    • Edit Your Profile
  • Services
    • Advertising
    • Case studies
    • Design
    • Email marketing
    • Lead generation
    • Magazine
    • Press releases
    • Publishing
    • Sponsored posts
    • Webcasting
    • Webinars
    • White papers
    • Writing
  • Shop
    • My Account
    • Cart
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Terms of use
  • Events

Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

  • News
  • Features
  • Sections A-Z
    • Agriculture
    • Aircraft
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Automation
    • Autonomous vehicles
    • Business
    • Computing
    • Construction
    • Design
    • Drones
    • Economy
    • Energy
    • Engineering
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial robots
    • Industry
    • Infrastructure
    • Investments
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Marine
    • Material handling
    • Materials
    • Mining
    • Promoted
    • Research
    • Robotics
    • Science
    • Sensors
    • Service robots
    • Software
    • Space
    • Technology
    • Transportation
    • Warehouse robots
    • Wearables
  • Video
  • Webinars
  • White papers
  • Press releases
  • Featured companies
    • AMD Xilinx
    • BlueBotics
    • Elite Robot
    • RGo Robotics
    • SICK Sensor Intelligence
    • Vicor Power

Kingetics makes ‘big innovations’ in footwear-exoskeleton-robotic ambulation science

May 7, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

By Dakota Grossman, writer, and Dr Steven King, managing member, Kingetics

Kingetics, a small veteran owned startup company has developed and tested new technology that has shown significant improvements in protecting our soldiers as well as improving the gait of mechanical walking systems.

Load carriage and high impact forces on the lower limbs are often cited as leading causes of musculoskeletal injuries. Injury rates during military training range from 1 per cent to 16 per cent, and up to 30 per cent in elite  infantry  units.

Data from Podiatry Arena shows that there are about 32,000 broken bones per year during military combat, costing the US Department of Defense an estimated $240,000,000 in medical expenses.


Such injuries include stress syndrome, muscle and ankle sprains, knee pain, and metatarsal stress fractures.
The most common was tibial/fibular at 40 per cent.

Service members under 20 years of age and women are shown to be at a higher risk for lower extremity fractures.

In another study, 5.7 per cent of male and 19.1 per cent of female cadets had at least one stress fracture, most being within three months of entry to the United States Military Academy.

The Kingetics Mechanical Insole System Lever, an orthotic design that incorporates a lever and spring plate, is an innovative solution that decreases the risk of injuries mentioned by reducing impact, and increasing energy storage and return, according to SBIR contract A11-109 “Advanced Composite Insoles for the Reduction of Stress Fractures”  by the US Department of Defense Army Medical Research and Materials Command.

“A major challenge was finding an innovative solution that will decrease the risk of musculoskeletal overuse; however, the composite materials that make up the Kingetics orthotic, such as carbon fiber, aramid ballistic materials and Kevlar, create a lightweight, puncture resistant, and protective footwear for soldiers in combat and during training,” said Dr Steven King, inventor of the innovation.

The Mechanical Insole System Lever has been worn while enduring multiple terrains and distances to ensure longevity and stability, such as the Xterra Championship and the Maui Marathon.

A 2017 Government Accountability Office report identified Marine loads to be an average of 117 pounds, and Army loads an average of 119 pounds. Typical combat boots weigh between two to three pounds.

However, Kingetics weigh around one to two pounds, which is up to 30-50 per cent lighter and will help to mitigate the heavy load.

 As the foot approaches the ground, the spring orthotic absorbs the impact force of the ground (F) by bending. The tension in the bent spring is stored as potential energy.

As the heel is raised, the orthotic pushes against the ground reactive force (G) and the moment (M) helps to restore the foot to a horizontal position (F = (h3 w E d)/4L3).

This formula also demonstrates how the mechanics can lead to an decrease in VO2 max. 

Mechanical testing has demonstrated that blown foam midsole materials provide less energy return upon impact than the Kingetics system.

Carbon fiber combined with mechanical levers creates a responsive plate for the average walker and runner, as well as a demonstrated a 3 to 10 times more puncture and blast resistance for soldiers and officers.

Ongoing product testing showed a 10 per cent increase in subjective comfort ratings when compared to traditional combat boots.

Early preliminary testing conducted at the University of Texas showed a 5-6 per cent reduction of force upon vertical ground impact.

Kingetics demonstrated that lever insoles has the potential to reduce the risk of stress fractures and strains caused by repeated, heavily loaded impacts.

This research was accepted for an oral presentation at the International Society of Biomechanics this past summer in Calgary.

 Researchers at Lehigh University studied a similar reaction using accelerometer testing and analysis.

The Senior Design Capstone team measured vibration forces on the tibia-shins while subjects wore the orthotics while jogging or on a treadmill.

Data showed a reduction of shock upon impact by 10-13 per cent with regards to overuse injuries of the foot, 10-20 per cent for plantar fasciitis, 5 per cent for metatarsal stress fractures and 4 per cent for tibial stress syndrome due to insert/orthotic use.

The same university later conducted a study with eight test subjects where they analyzed the difference in walking and running on a flat surface versus an inclined surface while using the Kingetics orthotic device versus without them.

Backed by t-tests, the overall average maximum acceleration of shock events (3.5G of force compared to 5G of force) was lower among 10 subjects running with Kingetics on a flat surface. For inclined surfaces, the average maximum acceleration of shock was lower for about 60 per cent percent of subjects.

The orthotic provides significant personal protection from puncture and did not catch fire during vertical and horizontal flame testing from prior SBIR A11-109 Deptartment of Defense Army Medical Research and Materials Command at the CAPE Lab at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

This demonstrates that the composite materials increase puncture-blast, heat and fire resistance to protect lower extremities and other vulnerable under protected bodily areas.

Mechatronics study

North Dakota State University conducted mechatronic (mechanical electronic) studies by incorporating electric piezo electronic wafers and strain gage sensors within the composite orthotic system.

This helped to collect further biometric data. This approach can assist quantifying how much impact and impulse the foot and lower body absorbs and returns during the gait cycle “heel strike to toe off”.

Vertical force and limb velocity sensors were placed on the soles of the Kingestics orthotic, and then cross analyzed with data collected from reactive forces from a standard blown foam shoe system.

The foam shoe exerted no force into the ground after heel strike while Kingestics did, which would significantly reduce the amount of energy used by military personnel, for example, as the orthotic lever system propels the foot forward, reducing shock and improving efficiency.

A t-test was conducted to test the significance between the data sets. Further testing and analysis is expected to continue to develop the insole system.

An E-1 recruit makes about $20,000 a year. Stress fractures take 2-3 months to heal, which costs around $5,000 per incident for a soldier who cannot train nor fight. Medical visits average $200 per visit, and require approximately five visits.

Potential X-rays and CT scans are $1,000 each.  An additional $500 may be added to expenses for the use of casts, crutches or orthopedic boots. So, 32,000 broken bones x $7,500 = $240,000,000.

Kingetics was a finalist for the innovation challenge at the inaugural WearRAcon conference. Kingetics was awarded the 2015 Most Creative Application Award from the American Composites Manufactures Association.

Kingetics has completed phase 1 SBIR testing for the US Department of Defense and Army Medical Research and Materials Command for SBIR A11-109 “Advanced Composite Insoles for the Reduction of Stress Fractures.”

Dr King, a prior army podiatrist, has been the co-inventor and co-principle investigator of this internationally patented technology.

He is a committee voting member for ASTM F48 Exoskeleton and Exosuits, E54 Homeland Security Applications and Personal Protective Equipment and F13 Pedestrian and Walkway Safety and Footwear Standards.

Dr King has also served on the NIST-DoD-ASTM Jungle Boot Working Group to improve soldier security and ability.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Share this:

  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • WhatsApp
  • Telegram
  • Pocket

You might also like…

Filed Under: Features, Humanoids Tagged With: army, average, cent, combat, composite, conducted, data, defense, foot, force, fractures, ground, impact, kingetics, lever, lower, materials, mechanical, medical, orthotic, risk, sbir, stress, system, testing

Join the Robotics & Automation News community

Reader Interactions

You must log in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Latest articles

  • Ideal Spindles for High-Speed Robotic Milling of Plastics and Composites
  • Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Memorable Logo Online
  • Roll-Up vs Sectional Garage Doors: What’s Best for Your Home?
  • Are Garage Door Seals Important? Top 3 Benefits of a Well-Sealed Garage Door
  • Troubleshooting Chamberlain Garage Door Opener Beeping in Charlotte
  • Meltio launches new robot cell for additive manufacturing
  • Orlando and Beep launch autonomous shuttle pilot
  • Motion & Control enterprises acquires Ultimation Industries
  • Clevon’s T-Mobile powered autonomous delivery robot fleet zooms into smart city Peachtree Corners
  • Purdue thermal imaging innovation allows AI to ‘see through pitch darkness like broad daylight’

Most Read

  • Snapchat Plus Planet Order 2023 Explained
    Snapchat Plus Planet Order 2023 Explained
  • How to Track a Phone Number on Google Maps
    How to Track a Phone Number on Google Maps
  • Why is Money Important in Our Lives?
    Why is Money Important in Our Lives?
  • The Future of Personal Computers: What to Expect in the Next Decade
    The Future of Personal Computers: What to Expect in the Next Decade
  • Carnegie Mellon builds killer robot to save economy
    Carnegie Mellon builds killer robot to save economy
  • What You Need to Know About Fixing an Engine Misfire
    What You Need to Know About Fixing an Engine Misfire
  • Difference Between Three-Phase and Single-Phase Power
    Difference Between Three-Phase and Single-Phase Power
  • How Much Does a Drone Light Show Cost?
    How Much Does a Drone Light Show Cost?
  • Scientists have found more water in space than they ever knew possible
    Scientists have found more water in space than they ever knew possible
  • Clevon’s T-Mobile powered autonomous delivery robot fleet zooms into smart city Peachtree Corners
    Clevon’s T-Mobile powered autonomous delivery robot fleet zooms into smart city Peachtree Corners

Overused words

ai applications automated automation automotive autonomous business companies company control customers data design development digital electric global industrial industry logistics machine manufacturing market mobile operations platform process production robot robotic robotics robots safety software solution solutions system systems technologies technology time vehicle vehicles warehouse work

Secondary Sidebar

Latest news

  • Ideal Spindles for High-Speed Robotic Milling of Plastics and Composites
  • Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Memorable Logo Online
  • Roll-Up vs Sectional Garage Doors: What’s Best for Your Home?
  • Are Garage Door Seals Important? Top 3 Benefits of a Well-Sealed Garage Door
  • Troubleshooting Chamberlain Garage Door Opener Beeping in Charlotte
  • Meltio launches new robot cell for additive manufacturing
  • Orlando and Beep launch autonomous shuttle pilot
  • Motion & Control enterprises acquires Ultimation Industries
  • Clevon’s T-Mobile powered autonomous delivery robot fleet zooms into smart city Peachtree Corners
  • Purdue thermal imaging innovation allows AI to ‘see through pitch darkness like broad daylight’

Footer

We are…

Robotics and Automation News was established in May, 2015, and is now one of the most widely-read websites in its category.

Please consider supporting us by becoming a paying subscriber, or through advertising and sponsorships, or by purchasing products and services through our shop – or a combination of all of the above.

Thank you.

Independent

Archivists

May 2020
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Apr   Jun »

Complex

Old-skool

This website and its associated magazine, and weekly newsletter, are all produced by a small team of experienced journalists and media professionals.

If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to contact us at any of the email addresses on our contact page.

We’d be happy to hear from you, and will always reply as soon as possible.

Future-facing

Free, fair and legal

We support the principles of net neutrality and equal opportunities.

Member of The Internet Defense League

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT