Millions of people worldwide suffer from knee problems, including cartilage damage caused by aging, injury, or intensive physical activity. Cartilage repair surgery offers hope, but recovery is slow and delicate. After surgery, the knee joint must be protected from excessive internal pressure. If the load is too high, the healing tissue can be damaged again. As a result, rehabilitation often takes months and limits mobility.

KNEEUL proposes a new type of wearable robotic knee device designed to protect the joint during recovery. Unlike traditional knee braces that mainly stabilize or restrict movement, KNEEUL introduces an innovative mechanical principle: it uses the natural forces generated while walking to actively reduce stress inside the knee.

When we walk, our feet push against the ground and generate what engineers call ground reaction forces. KNEEUL redirects part of this natural force through a lightweight mechanical structure placed around the knee. This controlled redirection slightly separates the joint surfaces at specific moments of the gait cycle, reducing pressure on the healing cartilage while preserving natural movement.
A key innovation of KNEEUL is that it does not rely on heavy motors or external power supplies. Instead, it harnesses the body’s own motion as an energy source. This makes the system lighter, more compact, and potentially more comfortable for daily use.

The project focuses on designing and validating this mechanical architecture. Researchers analyze how forces travel through the device and how they interact with knee motion. Laboratory experiments simulate walking conditions to evaluate how effectively the system can reduce joint load without altering natural gait.

KNEEUL brings together expertise in robotics, biomechanics, and orthopaedic medicine. By combining mechanical design and human movement analysis, the project aims to create a new generation of intelligent rehabilitation wearables.