In news that will do little to dampen fears of a robot apocalypse, researchers have built a robo-limb that can teach itself to walk. It's hoped the research will open up new possibilities in the fields of dynamic prosthetics and robots that learn on the fly in unfamiliar environments.
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A collaboration working under the EU-funded DeTOP project has developed a new hand prosthesis that reads signals direct from an amputee's nerves and muscles via electrodes implanted in the patient's arm.
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Researchers have developed a prosthetic joint that connects directly to the forearm bones of an amputee, allowing them to use a prosthesis with a wrist-like rotary movement. Use of the new joint could dramatically improve the quality of life for amputees.
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Ordinarily, prosthetic legs have ankle joints that are passive, moving only in response to pressure exerted by the user. As a result, walking up stairs or over uneven ground can be difficult. A new "smart" prosthetic ankle, however, adjusts its foot angle according to what the user is doing.
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Researchers have developed an “e-dermis” or electronic skin that could be applied to a prosthetic hand to give the wearer a sense of touch. By using electronic sensors that mimic the nerve endings in the body, the skin can convey both the senses of touch and of pain.
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Although artificial hips allow many people to remain mobile, the things do wear out after a while, often requiring replacement surgeries. The need for such operations may soon become less frequent, however, thanks to research being conducted at the University of Arkansas.
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A hospital in Jordan is trialing the use of 3D-printed prosthetic limbs to treat refugees injured in the ongoing conflict in Syria. The technology allows an artificial limb to be designed and built within 24 hours, and at a fraction of the cost of conventional prostheses.
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Scientists at the MARCS Institute at Western Sydney University have tested a non-invasive artificial larynx and found it capable of generating a high-quality voice.
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Musician Jason Barnes had part of his arm amputated in 2012, but with the help of a team led by prosthetics researcher GIl Weinberg he has found new ways to keep honing his craft, the latest example being a prosthetic arm that enables fine control over the keys of a piano.
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Youbionic started taking pre-orders for its 3D-printed robotic hand early last year. The company recently launched a new version, but hasn't stopped there. Looking to a near future where robotic enhancements make for improved humans, a two-handed prosthetic has been developed and gone up for sale.
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