Agilis
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The challenge: Needs for prosthetics in humanitarian contexts
80% of people in need of prosthetic limbs live in developing regions – but only about 5-10% have access to them?
If people with amputations in developing or vulnerable contexts have access prosthetic limbs, they are able to earn a living, contribute to society and lead active lives. Humanitarian organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) work to address the problem of access with inexpensive prosthetics and training to use them. But available options present problems. They are either:
- Not adapted: High-tech carbon fibre prostheses available in developed regions are dynamic and offer excellent mobility, but are highly expensive and fragile.
- Limited in impact on peoples’ lives: Robust, low-cost prosthesis usually used in developing regions are very basic and rigid, and wear out rapidly in harsh conditions.
Our Adapted Solution: Prosthetics that combine affordability with agility
The ICRC asked EPFL to help create an affordable, yet dynamic and robust prosthetic foot. Working with EPFL labs, we used our methodology to design an alternative adapted to humanitarian contexts.
The solution considers the context of use and a solution that would be universally accessible. This includes the person’s needs for mobility as well as their physical environment and how it impacts the lifecycle of the limb. The Agilis prosthetic foot is:
- Robust and aesthetic
- Dynamic: increased biomechanical capabilities
- Affordable: 40x cheaper than existing carbon-fiber-based solutions
Agilis prosthetic foot project status
Today the patented Agilis foot is being deployed in the field by the ICRC, enabling people with amputations to live active, dynamic lives.
For more information, please contact Klaus Schönenberger, Solomzi Makohliso or Grégoire Castella
Image credits: Adobe, ICRC, Mathieu Janier, EPFL, EssentialTech
As leader of the EPFL EssentialTech’s Humanitarian Division, Greg works at the interface of research and humanitarian action. He is leading several large-scale partnerships between EPFL and the ICRC (Engineering for Humanitarian Action), the UNHCR (The Geneva Technical Hub) and the Graduate Institute (The Future of Humanitarian Design). He is also developing executive trainings for humanitarian practitioners on the responsible use of technology in humanitarian setting, as well as about cybersecurity in the sector. Prior to working at EssentialTech, he led the Innovation Coordination at MSF (Doctors Without Borders) Switzerland, aimed at harnessing the power of medical, humanitarian and digital innovations to meet the needs of patients and others affected by disasters. He previously worked several years as a manager for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in various regions affected by armed conflicts (Afghanistan, Colombia, Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivoire) and later as Deputy Director for the Antenna Foundation, an NGO that incubates innovative solutions to meet the basic needs of people living in poverty. He is the co-founder and current President of the Board of Watalux SA, a social startup developing innovation for safe water and better hygiene in hospitals, and Board Member of SwissSolidarity, a leading Swiss philanthropic foundation. He holds a PhD in Life Science from the University of Lausanne (Switzerland).
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