The Ability Hand, as shown above, features touch feedback for users wearing the device. It achieves through pressure sensors that vibrate on the user’s skin. (Image Credit: Psyonic)
Psyonic, a startup specializing in developing advanced, affordable artificial limbs, released its Ability Hand in September. So far, this is the only bionic hand featuring touch feedback on the market. It utilizes pressure sensors to imitate touch, functioning very similarly to a human hand. Even better, the light bionic hand’s five fingers can flex and extend while providing 32 different gripping techniques. Ability Hand, available in the United States, can be used by anyone aged 13 or older.
Ability Hand only weighs 500 grams, which is the same as an average adult hand and 20% less than other prosthetic hands. It features six motors placed inside a carbon fiber case. The prosthetic hand also has silicone fingers, a battery, and muscular sensors added over the user’s limb. If a user has an amputation below the elbow, two muscle sensors would be placed atop the forearm muscle. These sensors provide the amputee with hand movement and grip controllability.
The bionic hand connects to a smartphone app via Bluetooth. This app automatically updates the software and serves as another hand movement control technique for the user. It takes approximately one hour to recharge the battery pack via USB-C.
Pressure sensors on the thumb, index and pinky finger provide patients with a sense of touch. Whenever a patient’s fingers make contact with an object, they feel vibrations in their skin, impersonating the sense of touch. The bionic hand uses vibrations to inform the patient about when they interact with and release an object.
Most prosthetic hands malfunction due to the plastic, wood, or metal materials they’re built with, making them less durable due to their inability to bend when they hit a hard surface. Psyonic uses silicone and rubber to create the fingers, making them flexible while withstanding plenty of force. Aadel Akhtar, Psyonic CEO, tested the Ability Hand’s durability by arm wrestling Dan St. Pierre, who wore the device. Even more, the hand is water-resistant.
Psyonic and its partners are exploring ways to improve Ability Hand. Some are in the process of developing brain and spinal cord implants designed to help patients control prostheses. It would operate by stimulating parts of the brain that control sensory intake. Then, after a user touches the fingers, implants transmit a signal to the brain, allowing them to feel the pressure.
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