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Ever Widening Circles

Tilly Lockey, Bionic HeroSebastiaan ter Burg // Flickr

Technology

5 minute lesson

Making People Into Superheroes with an Amazing Arm!

Ever Widening Circles

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to control a machine with your mind?

The folks at Open Bionics are making this dream into reality with a prosthetic limb called the Hero Arm. This prosthetic reacts to the voltage given off by muscles in the arm, translating signals from the brain into motion. What’s more, these creators are using 3D printers to create the Hero Arm and are publishing the designs for free.

Take a look at this video highlighting the generous work of these creators!

Why It Matters

As 3D printing technology grows, more and more people will be able to use this technology. The people who created this prosthesis chose to make the plans for the Hero Arm open source. As a result, rather than making money off this amazing innovation the creators are helping people who might not otherwise be able to access this life-changing technology.

The world is full of stories about altruism like this. Have you heard about the students who worked for years to remove plastic bags from their homeland? Similarly, what about this company that’s supporting Mexican farmers and bringing amazing tortillas to fine dining?

Let's Talk About It
  1. Why might it be mportant that the Hero Arm doesn’t look like a human arm?
  2. If you invented something that could help a lot of people, do you think you could give it away for free?
  3. What are some other ways open source technology like this bionic arm could help people?
Image: Seeker Logo

Seeker

Seeker exists where technology, innovation, and the future collide. The celebrate relentless curiosity with an insatiable drive to question, inspire, and create.

Thank You

Thank you to the EWCed writing staff! If you want to submit content to EWCed, please let us know.

Citations

“Engineers Created A New Bionic Arm That Can Grow With You.” YouTube, Seeker, 10 June 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=luHmXHEpF7w&feature=youtu.be. Accessed 5 Sept. 2018.

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