In 1992, University of Alberta researchers Kelly James and Richard Stein invented the first bionic leg, a fully microprocessor-controlled knee joint named the C-Leg.

The C-Leg uses an intelligent sensor chip to detect where the limb is in space and makes precise adjustments at every moment of every step. UAberta spin-off company BioMech Designs took it to market, but sold it to German prosthetics company Otto Bock.