I was born without lower arms and legs, so I’ve used prosthetics of all shapes and sizes for as long as I can remember.
I’ve never used a bionic hand before, as I’ve actively avoided anything designed for the upper arm for most of my adult life.
But when I visited a company in California that was taking technology to the next level, I was so intrigued that I gave it a try. And the results were, frankly, mind-boggling.
Prosthetic limbs have come a long way since their early days when they were made of wood, tin, and leather.
Modern replacement arms and legs are made of silicone and carbon fiber, making them increasingly bionic. This means that it has various moving parts that are electronically controlled to make it more convenient for the user.
The company I visited, Atom Limbs, is working to integrate a variety of cutting-edge innovations, including artificial intelligence (AI), into the next generation of bionic arms.
human movement
Atom Limbs uses advanced sensors and machine learning (a computer that trains itself to be more precise) to interpret electrical signals from the human brain to move and manipulate prosthetic limbs. Use.
The arm includes all human movements at the elbow, wrist, and individual fingers, providing haptic feedback about the wearer’s grip strength.
The arms are attached via a reinforced sportswear-style vest, which evenly distributes weight across the arms. It still has some weight, but it’s significantly lighter than other bionic arms we’ve seen.
It is non-invasive and does not require surgery or implants to function. It connects first to the wearer’s residual limb with a band of sensors that measure electrical signals, then to the arm via an interface via a cup that fits on top.
Although I had previously shied away from humeral prostheses, when Atom Limbs told me I could try controlling a digital version of the arm on my computer screen via control software, I was intrigued. I took it and said yes.
I still have muscles in my arms that I was able to “assign” to corresponding hand, wrist, and elbow movements, but this proved to be a unique and mind-boggling experience. I did.
The concept of learning how to control a body part that doesn’t belong to you is almost impossible to explain.
out of reach
But while this technology is exciting, one issue that people with disabilities always worry about when new products come out is cost.
The world of assistive technology is filled with products that, while impressive, cost many times the average annual salary. As a result, most devices are out of reach for many disabled people, who according to statistics are likely to be the poorest people in society.
Atom Limbs has said it hopes the arm will be in the $20,000 (£15,000) price range, which is still expensive but comparable to many other bionics on the market. Much cheaper than the product.
Ian Adam, a lecturer in prosthetics and orthotics at the University of Derby, says this may sound expensive, but it’s not for everyone, but it’s a good deal in the industry.
“It’s one of the cheapest on the market, but if you get into an accident and get compensation, well, it’s going to last you the rest of your life,” he said.
“So I think a lot of patients are being careful about what they spend their money on. Sometimes they are prepared not to use it at all. It’s not a judgment, it could just be an add-on to have. “
And there are ethical and practical issues with such products.
In 2022, Britt H. Young, a bionic arm user herself, questioned whether an “arms race” in prosthetic limbs was at play. Focused too much on innovation rather than application.
Social media star Tilly Lockie, who has used a bionic arm since she was nine years old, is excited about its future possibilities, but whether the device will make a difference depends entirely on testing, BBC reported. told.
“I’ve seen them change a lot firsthand, but I’ve also seen them throughout their development stages,” she said.
“There are a lot of ambitious projects out there, but I think to really get there we need development from actual everyday wearers.”
After all, the Atom Limbs arm is still in the early stages of development.
The company is collecting data ahead of regulatory filings in the US, so it will be some time before we see them used in everyday life.
Additional reporting by Tom Gerken.