1. Llama_Guy

    Llama_Guy New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2015
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0

    Do we need toes etc? (transhuman/scifi setting)

    Discussion in 'Research' started by Llama_Guy, Aug 1, 2015.

    The story I am currently writing is one set in a future where it's rather common for people to have various cybernetic enhancements. While often they are intended to replicate the form and function of their biological counterparts they are also frequently used for the purposes of direct enhancement, meant to be as powerful/efficient as possible. That of course begs the question - do your bionic feet really need toes? Is there a reason to include toes rather than make the foot a big block, as it were? I assume modern leg prosthetics like the "foot blades" that is the Flex-Foot Cheetah mostly look that way because it's a much simpler device to make than the intricate structure that is our legs and feet, while offering a desired result (running/jumping capacity). But they work well, even without toes. Assuming we make bionic legs, would the feet need toes, or are there more efficient ways of doing it?

    (similarly it's worth asking, do we need all our fingers? We naturally need grippers but are there distinct advantages from having 5, compared to 3 or 4 - 3 fingers in a "tripod" setup could work in many cases, no?)
     
  2. Lea`Brooks

    Lea`Brooks Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    May 11, 2013
    Messages:
    2,968
    Likes Received:
    2,007
    Location:
    Virginia, United States
    I would say if they're already bionic, no, they don't need toes. We use our toes for balance. Even losing one can change the way someone walks.

    As for fingers, we need as many as we can function with. I'm sure if you took away the middle finger and pinky, we could function just fine. But take away the thumb and pinky, and we'd be in big trouble. lol
     
  3. Aaron DC

    Aaron DC Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    May 12, 2015
    Messages:
    2,605
    Likes Received:
    1,320
    Location:
    At my keyboard
    You need a ground attachment mechanism with inherent flexibility otherwise you are going to destroy your movement mechanism.

    The toes are made up of multiple joints, that form a continuous "spring" from toenail through the foot / achilles / calf / hamstrings.

    This is actually replicated with the blades in use by Oscar Pistorious, as an example, without all the fiddly bits in between.

    If you just had blocks you would
    1. lose traction
    2. lose suspension / shock absorption

    If you want to see this in action, the simplest experiment is to get a single sheet of paper, place your hand on it then
    1. form your hand into a solid and try to "flick" the paper backwards = towards yourself - you are restricted to shoulder --> elbow --> wrist --> finger tips
    2. allow your hand to move naturally and try to flick the paper again - you should now be able to flick the paper quite forcefully with minor shoulder|elbow|wrist, but significant flexible finger movement

    Your feet operate in a very similar fashion.

    You need toes and / or a flexible ground contact point, assuming you want to move faster than a hobble.

    HTH

    Check out DARPA dog for how they do it with their robots there. The flexibility is inherent in the rubber "feet" and you can see the spring effect through the legs.

     
  4. J Faceless

    J Faceless Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2014
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    53
    Location:
    New England
    The foot blades are for movement, but for flexibility or for say climbing, or using grip you would need toes. They also serve as balance, and for pivoting. I would say yes, you need toes.
    Also if you haven't check out the deus ex machina games/ universe, similar ideas and thinking. They have toes in their prosthetics in that game i think.
     
  5. GingerCoffee

    GingerCoffee Web Surfer Girl Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2013
    Messages:
    18,385
    Likes Received:
    7,080
    Location:
    Ralph's side of the island.
    Google is your friend:
    Image search, bionic feet.
     
  6. Aaron DC

    Aaron DC Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    May 12, 2015
    Messages:
    2,605
    Likes Received:
    1,320
    Location:
    At my keyboard
    The second best aspect of my climbing shoes is that the toe box -- from mid foot forward -- does not bed at all. Not one bit. It's as if I do not have toes.
    The best aspect is that they are made of rubber -- they practically stick to the wall.

    I wonder if you do in fact need toes to climb, vs a synthetic but incredibly "sticky" compound for grip. And by sticky I don't mean honey, I mean rubberised.
     
  7. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 1, 2008
    Messages:
    23,826
    Likes Received:
    20,815
    Location:
    El Tembloroso Caribe
    I think you've answered the question yourself, though, haven't you? We have toes as a the end product of a long chain of events that starts with certain kinds of fish having first cartilaginous and then boney support spikes (rays) in their fins, not because toes are inherently the best or the only way to balance a creature whose body is more vertical than horizontal. In fact, you can easily see that humans are one of just a handful of creatures with toes that answers to this particular need. Nearly all other vertebrates have horizontally aligned bodies with ventral facing appendages. You don't need toes to balance, but you do need something to do that job.
     
    Llama_Guy and GingerCoffee like this.
  8. Daemon Wolf

    Daemon Wolf Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2015
    Messages:
    396
    Likes Received:
    136
    Toes are for balance so if your mech-legs have a way of balancing themselves in a different way then they don't need toes.
     
  9. GingerCoffee

    GingerCoffee Web Surfer Girl Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2013
    Messages:
    18,385
    Likes Received:
    7,080
    Location:
    Ralph's side of the island.
    And on that same note, you don't need toes to climb either:
    [​IMG]
     
  10. Aaron DC

    Aaron DC Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    May 12, 2015
    Messages:
    2,605
    Likes Received:
    1,320
    Location:
    At my keyboard
    Wreybies post triggered a link back to the Gingercoffee post.

    Here's a bionic foot:

    bionic foot.jpg

    Here's the fin of the walking fish.

    walking fish.jpg

    It might just be me but they look remarkably similar where the "foot" makes contact with the ground.
     
  11. Lewdog

    Lewdog Come ova here and give me kisses! Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2012
    Messages:
    7,676
    Likes Received:
    3,056
    Location:
    Williamsburg, KY
    If you didn't have toes how would you know which little piggy went to market?
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice