“I love going hiking and connecting with nature.”

Nearly 80% of stroke survivors face walking challenges—but a CU Boulder engineer is working to change that. 

Assistant Professor Cara Welker in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering is leading a National Science Foundation-funded project to create a next-generation ankle brace, or ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), that does more than support movement—it enhances it. 

Current braces don't replicate the natural motion of a human ankle; instead, they function like basic springs with a single stiffness setting. Working with Associate Professor Elisa Arch at the University of Delaware, Welker is testing a new prototype that can adapt as a person walks, adjusting stiffness for a more natural stride. 

In her cutting-edge Welker Lab, equipped with motion-capture cameras and powered exoskeletons, Welker and her team are using a technique called human-in-the-loop optimization to fine-tune the brace in real time, helping each user move more efficiently and comfortably. 

"Movement is important, not just for getting around, but for our quality of life and physical health," said Welker. "If we can help someone walk faster or get closer to how a healthy person walks, then we see that as a success."

Ultimately, Welker hopes her work will lead to braces and prosthetics that can be customized for each individual, empowering more people to walk freely again and reminding us how innovation at CU Boulder moves Colorado forward, one step at a time.