Over the kneecap is a protective layer that allows a strap to pull over it, enhancing the quadriceps muscle contraction, pushing the leg out.

The small motors sit on the strap itself, causing the strap to become a sort of external artificial muscle.

The contraction starts when you start pushing your leg out. and stops at a given maximum. This can easily be adjusted by changing the length of the strap.
-- pashute, Feb 19 2023

One of many https://web.wpi.edu...ive_Knee_Device.pdf
Google is your friend [a1, Feb 19 2023]

could better knee brace prevent replacement surgery https://www.massdev...eplacement-surgery/
[pashute, May 08 2023]

Yes please! Save my knees by adding a secondary support
-- Voice, Feb 19 2023


[a1] that link is interesting: there are no photos of anyone actually wearing/using the completed device. Maybe they ran out of funds?
-- neutrinos_shadow, Feb 20 2023


That was one link of many I found on powered assists. Which is not to say pashute’s concept of “motor in the strap” has been done, just that there’s been some work on the overall concept.
-- a1, Feb 20 2023



random, halfbakery