Nextstep Robotics

At NextStep Robotics, our mission is to revolutionize the way we approach foot drop, a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. We believe that technology should empower individuals to regain their independence and confidence, rather than restricting their mobility with cumbersome and ineffective solutions.

The Problem

Foot drop is a common condition characterized by an inability to lift the foot during activities of daily life, such as walking. This condition is often associated with underlying comorbidities, such as cerebrovascular disease, and can significantly increase the risk of falls. In the United States alone, more than three million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries each year.

The Solution

At NextStep Robotics, we have developed a cutting-edge solution to alleviate and, in some cases, treat foot drop. Our portable ankle robot, AMBLE, is designed to provide safe and gentle assistance for each step. This innovative device combines artificial intelligence and advanced software to detect key events during each step, such as toe off, and provide customized graded foot-lift assistance. Our robotic solution has been clinically proven to reduce the devastating impacts of foot drop and promote active participation at home and in community settings.

Our Purpose

Our purpose at NextStep Robotics is to harness the power of technology to prevent falls and falls-related injuries caused by foot drop. We believe that our innovative solution can improve voluntary control of the affected ankle and enhance the quality of life for individuals with foot drop.

Injury Prevention

Our AMBLE device is designed to act as a digital gait trainer, detecting key events during each step and providing customized assistance while making performance-based adjustments for subsequent steps. Prior clinical data has shown that this approach can teach the affected ankle to autonomously clear the floor during walking, resulting in a significant reduction in falls and falls-related injuries.

Better Outcomes

Our device has been tested in a small initial study with the Baltimore Veterans Administration, where 85% of users self-discarded their assistive devices. We believe that our technology has the potential to revolutionize the field of neurologic and orthopedic rehabilitation and improve outcomes for individuals with foot drop.