back to article 3D-printed robot hand grabs Dyson award for UK

A 3D-printed robot hand for amputees has won the UK heat of this year's James Dyson Award, which recognises university graduate inventions. Joel Gibbard, a 25-year-old robotics graduate from Plymouth University, created a prototype which can be assembled in 40 hours for under £1,000. Advanced prosthetics can cost anything from …

  1. Elmer Phud

    " My aim is for Open Bionics to disrupt the prosthetics industry by offering affordable prosthetics for all.”

    Nuff said!

    1. Ralph B

      "affordable prosthetics for all”?

      Hmm. Why does he think we will all need prosthetics? What's he planning?

      1. DJV Silver badge
        Happy

        "affordable prosthetics for all”

        I play guitar in a live band and, often when I'm playing, my nose starts itching - an extra arm would certainly come in handy there!

        Also, having four extra telescopic arms would be neat for those with arachno(man)phobia.

        1. Swarthy
          Thumb Up

          Re: "affordable prosthetics for all”

          And it would really help out my ski-boxing.

          1. Allan George Dyer
            Facepalm

            Re: "affordable prosthetics for all”

            I'd give my right arm for an affordable prosthetic...

  2. g00se

    "Who wants to hear another Spacestar Ordering success story?"

  3. DJV Silver badge
    Thumb Up

    Well deserved!

    As above.

  4. Simon Harris

    Just hope...

    They'll have used their robot hand for good.

  5. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Wonder what the grip feels like

    Might save a wait for your arm to go numb.

    1. Graham Marsden
      Alert

      Re: Wonder what the grip feels like

      I offer you the cautionary tale of Howard Wolowitz...

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SScHKz_Hn38

  6. Ugotta B. Kiddingme
    Pint

    Well done!

    and for bonus points, helps to limit the ever-increasing costs of health care.

    Here, have a pint of natural healthy goodness. On me.

  7. Graham Marsden
    Thumb Up

    A big hand for these guys!

    (Oh come on, *someone* had to say it...)

    1. dotdavid

      Re: A big hand for these guys!

      It certainly looks like a handy invention to have around.

  8. Zog_but_not_the_first
    Alien

    It still...

    ... doesn't take away the pain of knowing that Darth Vader is your father. {SPOILER}

    Seriously, well done on a cracking example of good tech.

  9. Chris G

    At last

    A really useful piece of 3D printing, other than the Vulture's own special project that is.

    The next thing is for some wally to print a hand with a gun built into it.

    Personally as a lapsed robotics engineer I think one of the ways forward for humaniform robotics is as prosthetic devices for humans who are disabled in some way, to enable them to live as close to a normal life as possible.

    Materials and drives are so much better than in the '80s and probably the engineers are smarter too nice to see innovation like this.

    Nice one!

  10. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Nice idea... now how about material safety?

    Being targeted at prosthetics, hopefully they'll start using materials considered safe for long term skin exposure.

    The last time I saw these guys (few months ago) they were using NinjaFlex, which isn't regarded as safe for skin contact applications.

    Rapid prototyping is good, but material safety is important as well.

    1. James Hughes 1

      Re: Nice idea... now how about material safety?

      Is your glass half empty?

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Nice idea... now how about material safety?

        It's half empty of water, which is the only liquid I regard as safe for stomach contact applications

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