The INOPRO consortium set out to close the gap between contemporary prosthetic and orthotic devices and the natural biomechanics of upper and lower limbs. Three technical subprojects were launched to create intelligent prostheses, orthoses and accompanying human‑machine interfaces that adapt more closely to the wearer’s movements and provide enhanced support, thereby improving quality of life. The ELSI (Ethical, Legal and Societal Issues) subproject, carried out by the Institute for Technology Impact Assessment and System Analysis (ITAS) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), was an integral part of the effort. It examined user acceptance, wishes, privacy, safety, embodiment, responsibility, autonomy, and justice issues that arise with the new technologies, and it produced a comprehensive set of design guidelines and policy recommendations.
From a technical standpoint, the project delivered several prototype systems that demonstrate significant advances in sensor integration, actuation, and control. The intelligent prostheses incorporate multi‑modal sensing (pressure, motion, electromyography) and adaptive control algorithms that adjust torque and compliance in real time, allowing for smoother gait patterns and more natural arm movements. The orthotic devices feature lightweight, modular structures that can be reconfigured to match individual biomechanical needs. Human‑machine interfaces developed in the project provide intuitive, low‑latency communication between the user’s nervous system and the device, enabling more precise manipulation of prosthetic limbs. While the report does not disclose specific numerical performance values, it reports that the prototypes achieved higher functional scores in standardized mobility tests and received positive feedback in user trials, indicating improved alignment with natural limb kinematics and increased user satisfaction.
The ELSI analysis identified key factors that influence acceptance, such as transparency of decision‑making in semi‑autonomous systems, data privacy safeguards, and the cultural representation of prostheses. Workshops and interviews with users, clinicians, designers, and ethicists revealed that users value clear information about data usage, robust security measures, and the ability to customize device appearance. The study also highlighted the importance of equitable access, noting that socioeconomic barriers can limit the availability of advanced prosthetic solutions. Consequently, the consortium produced a set of recommendations for developers and policymakers, including the adoption of open data standards, the inclusion of diverse user groups in design processes, and the establishment of funding mechanisms to support low‑cost, high‑quality prosthetic care.
Collaboration within INOPRO was structured around a consortium of academic and industrial partners. ITAS led the ELSI research, coordinating with the three technical subprojects to ensure that ethical considerations were embedded from the earliest design stages. Other partners contributed expertise in biomechanics, robotics, materials science, and clinical practice. The project ran from 2016 to 2019 for the ELSI component, with the overall consortium activity extending to 2020. Funding was provided by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) under the special research fund for large projects at KIT, grant number 16SV7658. The final report, published in 2023, documents the outcomes of the research, the lessons learned, and the pathways for translating the developed technologies into clinical practice and market deployment.