The pic above isn’t a still from a futuristic flick or a flight of CGI fancy from the SyFy channel. This is Nigel Ackland, a real-life man of flesh and blood… and carbon fiber and aluminum.
When Ackland lost the lower part of his arm in a smelting accident six years ago, the idea of his using two hands again was like a fantasy. Sure, prosthetics have made amazing advances over the years, but there are certain activities that still elude these artificial limbs. But this new “Terminator” arm, as he puts it, is a highly sensitive version that features a range of 14 individual grips. Thanks to RSLSteepe and its bebionic3 myoelectric hand, Ackland can now tie his shoes, crack eggs, and even use a keyboard and mouse. It’s all controlled by the user’s upper arm, where muscle flexes can trigger the limb.
Although the prosthetic comes with a skin-like flesh-colored covering, Ackland admits that he rocks the unfettered Cyborg style on occasion. And he digs the fact that onlookers often ask him about his hi-tech arm. Too bad the appreciation might be short-lived — he’s only testing it for now, along with six others in the U.K. After four months, they have to give it back. That’s not surprising, considering it costs as much as $40,000 per patient.
As with all technology, the cost could decrease over time, though. With the bebionic3 due for release soon, we’ve got our fingers-crossed that the adoption rate will be healthy and that Moore’s law kicks in for this category too.
[Via New York Daily News]
Correction: The subject’s name is Nigel Ackland, not Auckland as previously written.
Add magic to your living space with these string lights
String lights add personality and soft light to your living space. Here are some of the best.
Disguise your little one with the help of a themed costume
From avocado halves to hoppy bunnies, costumes speak to every child's unique spirit. And we've collected our favorite options.
The Galaxy S20 Ultra's Space Zoom camera is amazing and a bit creepy
The Galaxy S20 Ultra supports up to 100X zoom, which Samsung calls Space Zoom, but is it any good? Can a phone really product usable photos at 100x zoom? We've got our Galaxy S20 Ultra already so join us to find out!
Use electricity to manage joint and muscle pain with a TENS unit
A TENS unit relieves pain using small electric shock waves directed at affected areas. Here are some of the more popular choices on the market.