Every so often we get to take a look at technology that genuinely blows our minds. The Bebionic 3 bionic hand has entered that pantheon of brain-expanding tech -- click play on the video above to see the world's most advanced bionic hand, and the people who use it, in action.
Cloaked in sultry black armour and bristling with gleaming motors, you'd be forgiven for thinking this brand-new prosthetic had gone missing from Ridley Scott's prop department.
Built by British-based firm RSLSteeper, this robotic hand features individual motors in each finger, microprocessors that monitor the position of each individual digit, and 14 selectable grip patterns.
It's responsive, capable of incredibly sensitive, delicate actions and -- best of all -- dead simple to use.
The hand is myoelectric, which means it's controlled using muscle impulses, which are detected by sensors placed on the user's arm. That muscle movement is communicated to the hand, triggering a mechanical action.
I was lucky enough to be wired up to one of the bionic hands to try controlling one for myself, and was amazed at how easy it was. All I had to do was flick my wrist backwards to open the hand, and forwards to close it. Flicking back twice changes the grip pattern. Pointing, pinching and a handle grip are just some of the grip configurations available.
As well as making life easier for amputees or those born without limbs, the hand is more than a practical tool, it's a source of huge self-confidence, even pride. A silicon glove is available as an optional extra, but the users I spoke to were happier to have the cool-looking hand on show.
With prosthetic technology moving at a pace, these bionic limbs are definitely worth keeping an eye on. Have you spotted any cool bionic adornments, and what other applications can you imagine for the myoelectric tech? Tell me in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
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anonymous 20 November, 2012 13:05
My wife has been looking to get one of these myoelectric arms. The technology does look excellent; but the business model is bizarre. We wanted to try out one of these arms to see whether it is fully functional from the nerve endings, to make sure it is not too heavy and to see whether it is safe (we have a young baby - so it needs to be ultra safe). When making enquiries we made it clear that we have the money to pay for the arm if it works ok; but the best we could get to try it out was that we would have to pay a non-refundable £4-5,000. Next time you buy a car (which is roughly the same price) how much business do you think you would give to the car salesman who asks for £5,000 for a test drive. The arm can be as sensational as you like from a technology point-of-view; but the reality of the story is that it is not of that much practical consequence if the technology is not accessible, even to the people who can afford it.
billfred 20 November, 2012 15:19
Looks bad ass. Deus Ex look-a-like.
anonymous 21 November, 2012 16:12
The future is now!
anonymous 21 November, 2012 17:39
If your missus wears one of this and the muscle sensor malfunctions, won't you be at loss of your weener?
bebionic 23 November, 2012 09:23
In reply to the anonymous comment (20th Nov, 13:05):
I wanted to reply on behalf of RSLSteeper to let you know that we don't ask for a deposit to try out the bebionic hand - our Product Managers regularly visit clinics around the UK, and indeed around the world, to meet with patients and test their suitability for the bebionic hand and to let them try it out for themselves in the same way that Luke from Cnet did in the video above. We don't charge for this service and consider it an essential service to ensure patient's suitability is determined before they commit to purchasing the hand either through a private clinic or where their local NHS clinic is providing it to them. If you would like more information, or to find out if your wife can try out the hand, then please get in touch at bebionic@rslsteeper.com and we'll be very happy to help.
anonymous 23 November, 2012 22:49
Absolutely brilliant, a life changing product that will bring many rewards to its users. Imagine what this company will be capable of producing over the next 5 to 10 years.