#robotics #bionic

#robotics   #bionic

Originally shared by Biosciencia

Man with the world's most advanced bionic hand can now tie his own shoelaces (and, more importantly, drink beer)

The bionic man fitted with a high-tech robotic hand yesterday showed off his latest upgrade which is so advanced he can now tie his shoelaces again.
Nigel Ackland from Royston, Cambridgeshire, has had his Terminator-like mechanical limb since last November, but it has now been upgraded to make it more sensitive.
And after a recent accident involving a runaway dog which left the 53-year-old missing several robot fingers, designers have also reinforced the limb with stainless steel and titanium.
It means the whole hand is stronger and the upgrade also included insulating pads stop it picking up heat or static electricity.
'Since I was first given the hand they have developed it several times whenever someone who is trialling it notices a design flaw,' Mr Ackland said.
'I was walking the dog and he took off chasing something ripping the lead out of my hand - but unfortunately the fingers came off too.
'So they added stainless steel into the links to make sure they were stronger and could with stand that kind of force again.
'Its crazy I can now tie my shoe laces for the first time in years and play with playing cards. I'm developing my use of the hand more and more daily.
'It really is a whole new quality of life.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2291576/Man-bionic-hand-tie-shoelaces-new-upgrade.html#ixzz2O8Xf18Q8