Open Bionics’ New Prosthetic Arms Turn Kids Into Superheroes

Open Bionics, A Startup Out Of The U.K. That Makes Bionic Hands, Has Unveiled The World’s Smallest Prosthetic Hand Just For Kids.

To help children who have missing limbs due to a birth defect or amputation, Open Bionics, a startup out of the U.K. that makes bionic hands, has unveiled the world’s smallest prosthetic hand just for kids.

The company introduced three prosthetic hands. They are equipped with colored LEDs and designed after Iron Man, Frozen‘s Queen Elsa, and a Star Wars Jedi. The start up is part of Techstars’ Disney Accelerator program, which means they have royalty-free access to these three popular Disney-owned properties.

Prosthetic Hands With the Ability to Feel Could Soon Become a Reality
The goal for robotic prostheses is to develop a bionic arm that mimics natural limb, both in its ability to perform complex motor commands and elicit sensation.

“Now kids can get excited about their prosthetics. They won’t have to do boring physical therapy, they’ll train to become heroes. They’re not just getting medical devices, they’re getting bionic hands inspired by their favorite characters. The Walt Disney Company is generously donating the time of its creative teams and providing royalty free licenses. More designs coming soon!” the start up wrote on its official website.

The company estimates around 2 million hand amputees worldwide.

New Device Stimulates Nerves to Bring Sense of Touch to Prosthetic Hand
The device appears as a macro-sieve and works to stimulate motor neurons in muscles that transmits signals to the sensory neurons.

Source-Medindia

Prosthetic Hand Works Without Brain Implants, Uses Power of Thought
The advanced interpretation of brain signals is captured non-invasively and was used to create a template to be able to identify hand grasps in an amputee.

Nitinol Wire in a Prosthetic Hand Makes It Move Like a Human Hand
The use of nitinol, an alloy of nickel and titanium, in prosthetic hands helps achieve faster and smoother finger movements that are similar to human muscles.