Powered robotic knee wins top CES 2025 award for above-knee amputees

For people who have lost a leg above the knee, walking can be exhausting and unsteady, because most prosthetic knees are passive and rely entirely on the wearer's own effort and momentum. At CES 2025, a powered alternative drew attention: the Bio Leg, developed by BionicM, earned a Best of Innovation honor in the show's Innovation Awards.

The Bio Leg is a robotic prosthetic knee that combines an electric motor with multiple sensors. Rather than simply swinging passively, it provides active, powered support that the company says alleviates discomfort and makes movement smoother, helping replicate the natural motion of a human knee with both strength and flexibility. The design also includes a sculpted calf-muscle contour and a sleek carbon finish intended to let users express personal style, a reminder that assistive devices are also things people wear every day.

“At CES 2025, a powered alternative drew attention: the Bio Leg, developed by BionicM, earned a Best of Innovation honor in the show's Innovation Awards.”

Powered prosthetic knees are part of a broader wave of assistive technology recognized at CES 2025, which also honored mouth- and head-controlled computer interfaces and improved wireless microphones for hearing aids. The throughline is technology that restores independence and dignity, letting people move, communicate and navigate the world with less fatigue and more confidence.

The honest caveats are familiar to the prosthetics field. Powered knees are typically heavier and more expensive than passive ones, require charging, and depend on fitting, training and follow-up care to deliver their full benefit; an award reflects design and engineering promise rather than guaranteed access or affordability. Insurance coverage and reimbursement remain major hurdles for many users worldwide. Even so, the recognition signals real progress toward prosthetics that actively help rather than merely substitute, and toward a market where powered mobility devices become more available to the people who need them.