There are plenty of robot arms out there, but what about robot skin to cover them in? A new kind of piezotronic transistor mesh could make for robotic skin as sensitive as your own is, covered in thousands of tiny mechanical hairs. Read More >>
Back in 2008, Jason Koger had the misfortune of running over a downed power line on his four-wheeler, being shocked with 7,200 volts of electricity, and ultimately having both his hands amputated. Now, he's had the good luck to get a pair of new ones that can be controlled by an iPhone app. Read More >>
The last time we saw Bebionic's V3 prosthetic hand in action was in a sterile promotional video showing it doing everything from buttering up a slice of bread, to manipulating a Rubik's Cube. It was rather impressive, but this clip is even more so, since it demonstrates how life-changing the prosthetic hand can actually be in a real world situation. Read More >>
There's a newly enhanced robot helper about to assist in cleansing the streets (and nuclear dead zones) of Japan, with this latest "disaster recovery" exoskeleton supposedly only a year away from being put into service. Read More >>
Featured comment by worldranger:
"Wha? Shouldn't they demo this thing helping a guy do something cool - like lifting a car - or something? Power Squats man!" More »
Scientists working for forthcoming Channel 4 TV show How to Build a Bionic Man assembled the most cutting-edge prosthetic limbs available today, creating an incredibly versatile robot person for around $1m. Read More >>
Seeing a fully articulated prosthetic hand going through its full range of motions is always fascinating, and the Bebionic V3's capabilities are downright amazing. But what's really important is how well it can handle everyday mundane tasks. After all, in the end it's not a tech demo, but a device meant to improve somebody's life. Read More >>
Featured comment by cheeseycom:
"Terminator's arms weren't prosthetics, so I'd say if anything it's more like Edward Elric ^_^
Though I wouldn't expect as many people to get that re..." More »
When the International Olympic Committee approved the prosthetic blades that replace Oscar Pistorius's artificial legs when running, they set a precedent that could be hard to manage down the line. What was the committee's criteria for approving them, and why should one prosthetic be allowed and not another? There's no definitive answer yet, but it's a safe bet that a rocket-powered prosthetic ankle probably won't make the cut. Read More >>
Featured comment by markcgrant:
"I know, archery should be replaced with a purer targeted sport like darts - I'm currently in training for when this gets the go ahead :)
Same goes..." More »
While we're still a few years away from Ghost in the Shell-level cybernisation, losing an appendage to illness or injury is no longer a lifelong condemnation to hook-handedness. And with the recent release of the beBionic 3, we're all a step closer to being Maj. Kusanagi. Read More >>
Featured comment by spudhed:
"utterly fantastic and really not that un-affordable i mean £22000 is still a hell of a lot of money but for what it is its certainly reasonable" More »
When Zac Vawter lost his right leg in a motorbike accident, he thought he'd never walk properly again. Now, he's managed to use a bionic limb, hardwired into his nervous system, to climb 103 flights of stairs in the annual SkyRise Chicago skyscraper climbing contest. Read More >>
Developed by researchers at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium, the Ankle Mimicking Prosthetic -- or AMP -- Foot 2.0 is not only designed to give wearers an incredibly natural and lifelike gait, it also features an energy harvesting system to put a natural spring back into someone's step. Read More >>
Featured comment by Bhenn:
"Same here, it was a bigger anti climax than the Blair Witch project.
The prosthetic on the other hand is awesome. I wonder if you can run with it?" More »
Mike Swainger lost his right arm and leg some 20 years ago, after being hit by a train while messing about on a railway line as a kids. He's now been bodged back together by the NHS, which has given him a new robotic limb. Read More >>
Featured comment by TheAnticitizen1:
"To quote myself: railway lines are normally surrounded by 8ft barbedwire fences you would have to be pretty determined to scale one!" More »
This is Bella, a three-legged llama who was in danger of being euthanized because of the depression—and inability to get around—caused by her amputation. Until, that is, she received an awesome new cheetah-print bionic leg. Now she is the happiest three legged llama in all the land. Read More >>
Featured comment by sabretoooth:
"I'm not talking about the actual prosthetic. I'm talking about the effort and money they put into this would be so much more useful for a person. A ch..." More »
Philippe Croizon lost his arms and legs in a terrible accident 18 years ago. Since then, he has trained to become a world class athlete. This summer, the Frenchman is going to swim between every continent in the world. Read More >>
Using traditional lower leg and foot prosthetics is like walking in sand. Since the user can't push off with that foot, there's no muscle for power or an Achilles tendon to pull against. The BiOM prosthetic, however, supplements user effort with robot power. Read More >>
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