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Visiting the
Designers
In her search to uncover the stories behind the ALLUX 2, Mari Katayama visited Nabtesco’s Konan Plant and spoke with the development and design team. The conversation gave her insight into the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into bringing the ALLUX 2 to life.
MEMBERS
Yoshinori Takezawa
Accessibility Innovations Company
Research & Development
Section
Yoshiaki Nakaya
Accessibility Innovations Company
Research & Development
Section
Taishiro Misao
Accessibility Innovations Company
Research & Development
Section
Hiroaki Hashimoto
Technology and R&D Division
Innovative Engineering
Department
*As of January 1, 2023
Nakaya：Our goal is to develop a prosthetic as close as possible to the human leg. To achieve as natural a gait as possible, we tested the product over and over, especially the sensors and software for the hydraulic electronic control, and Hashimoto-san modified the software after each test.
Hashimoto：We were aiming to create a product that could be walked on without thinking, so that was a point we couldn’t compromise on. Even in the pre-test phase, we programmed it to be user-friendly for any walking pattern by collecting and analyzing all kinds of data.
Aesthetic Design Really
Changed People’s Reaction
Katayama：I also really like the design. What aspects did you specifically focus on?
Nakaya：In the design, we focused on the lines of the human leg and paid special attention to the curves. In terms of appearance, we also decided to paint it. It took a great deal of trial and error for Misao-san to get this just right.
Misao：There is a big difference in how cool it looks with or without painting. But there are materials that are easy to paint on and some are not… We had many discussions with the team in charge of materials to convince them that painting it was necessary.
“Mommy,
let’s hold hands!”
Katayama：Actually, wearing the ALLUX 2 has also changed the sense of distance between my daughter and me, in a positive way. A few years ago, my knee buckled while holding my daughter in my arms, and I fell. Since that incident, I always worried that it would happen again, and I just couldn’t carry her anymore. My daughter also seemed a bit anxious and would keep her distance when I was standing or walking. But with the ALLUX 2, I hardly ever worry about this, so it allows me more physical contact with my daughter. The other day while we were walking together, my daughter ran up to me and said, for the first time in a long time, “Mommy, let’s hold hands!” This made me truly happy.
Takezawa：Hearing that makes us really happy, too. It makes us feel that the work we do is truly meaningful.
Hashimoto：I feel a renewed commitment to developing products that let people walk even more naturally and confidently.
Nakaya：We don’t often have the opportunity to directly hear about how our products benefit the people who wear them, so I’m glad to hear it.
Misao：When we do development and design, we think a lot about the people who will be wearing them. I’ve learned something new today and feel even happier knowing that our products have an influence on not only the people who wear them, but also the people around them. I want to incorporate what we’ve learned from talking with you into future developments.
Katayama：Having the opportunity to speak with you all and learn the stories behind the development and design of the ALLUX 2, I love it even more now. Throughout my life, I’ve always wanted to walk more confidently than anyone else, and now, learning about the effort and thought you’ve all put into it, I feel like I’m one step closer to that goal. I’m really looking forward to seeing what you all come up with in the future. I hope we can have prosthetic ankles that allow us to walk in any height of heels, using Nabtesco’s hydraulic technology!
