What if a prosthetic foot could move as naturally as a biological one? Axiles Bionics, a VUB spin-off born from over a decade of robotics research, is redefining mobility for lower limb amputees. Combining artificial intelligence, biomechanics and smart robotics, the company has developed a new generation of bionic prostheses that restore not only function, but freedom.
The challenge: Outdated prosthetics, daily discomfort
For decades, prosthetic feet have barely evolved. Often rigid and unresponsive, they fail to replicate the subtle movement and flexibility of a human ankle. The result? Reduced comfort, unnatural gait, increased strain on the body, and lasting physical and psychological effects for those who rely on them.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of people undergo lower limb amputations, and too many are left with outdated solutions that compromise quality of life.
The solution: Recreating human movement with robotics
Spun out from the VUB’s BruBotics research group, Axiles Bionics brings together 18 years of research & development in human biomechanics, robotics and AI. Their breakthrough: a robotic ankle-foot prosthesis that mimics the strength, responsiveness and flexibility of a real human ankle. The result is a natural gait and posture, better balance, and intuitive movement that adapts in real-time to the user’s needs. It’s not just a prosthesis: it’s a leap forward in human-machine interaction.
In 2024, the company launched its latest innovation: the Lunaris product line, pushing the boundaries of bionic technology even further.
The impact: A future where every step feels natural
Axiles Bionics’ next-gen prosthetic is already changing lives. Lunaris, renowned for its adaptive mechanics and embedded intelligence, delivers intuitive and natural motion, significantly improving the quality of life for lower limb amputees. It has already secured CE and FDA approval and is reimbursed in multiple countries, leading to rapidly increasing adoption in clinical settings.
The company has won international recognition, including a top spot in the euRobotics Technology Transfer Awards, and was selected to represent Belgium at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka (read article).
And this is only the beginning. With continued investment and innovation, Axiles Bionics aims to expand its portfolio and make cutting-edge mobility solutions more widely accessible, bringing life-changing technology to more people around the world.
“We envision a future where advanced bionics become standard, enhancing lives with superior mobility, health, and wellbeing. Lunaris has proven that intuitive, lifelike mobility is achievable today. With our pipeline of bionic technologies, we aim to raise the bar once more, and reshape the global standard of prosthetic technology.” — Pierre Cherelle, Founder and CEO of Axiles Bionics
From lab to limb, Axiles Bionics transforms cutting-edge research into life-changing innovation, redefining mobility and restoring confidence with every step.
