Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway, has developed a new prosthesis that is controlled by thought just like a natural limb. This thing even provides the user with tactile feedback while in use. The prosthesis is called the "Luke Arm" after the Star Wars character who lost his hand during an unfortunate domestic dispute with his estranged father. Here is a brief description of the prosthesis' abilities: (It) enables 18 degrees of freedom, a scant 4 degrees less than an actual arm. It enables the wearer to "to pluck chocolate-covered coffee beans one by one, pick up a power drill, unlock a door, and shake a hand." It features six different grip settings, and fits a modular design so any level of amputee can use it. It weighs 3.6 kg and runs on lithium batteries.
This is awesome!
Dean Kamen's "Luke Arm" bionic prosthesis heads to clinical trials, is awesome - 60 Second Science
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