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They aren't real cyborg arms, but these prosthetic arms are still really cool

By Salehuddin Bin Husin - on 13 Oct 2015, 10:05am

They aren't real cyborg arms, but these prosthetic arms are still really cool

There's no other way to describe it other than cool.

It's a tragedy if somebody has to lose a limb. Be it through disease or accident, the loss of a limb is a traumatic event, both physically and emotionally. Children especially can be affected adversely with a lost limb, especially when they compare themselves to other normal children.

While counselling and therapy can help ease those thoughts, there's still something to be said about getting a cool prosthetic hand that should make any kid forget their loss, even if only for a while.

Open Bionics' aim is just that. A startup that makes cheap 3D printed limbs for amputees, Open Bionics has partnered with Disney to introduce a couple of prosthetic arms for children.

Instead of giving drab prosthetic limbs to children who've just lost theirs, they're designing 3D printed limbs that are based on Star Wars, Iron Man and Frozen. 

Prosthetic limbs based on Iron man, Frozen and Star Wars feature working lights and in the case of the Iron Man hand, working vibration as well.

While we're not sure on the longevity of Frozen as a franchise, the limbs do look incredibly cool, especially the Iron Man (which is based off Tony Stark's Iron Man armor) and the Star Wars (which is based off lightsabers, not Anakin's or Luke's severed hands) ones. To top it off, each of the arms can be lighted, making them look great, even in the dark.

Perhaps most enticing of all (especially to the parents) is the price. Unlike regular prosthetic limbs which may cost thousands, these 3D printed ones are expected to be only around US$600, when they release in 2016.

Sadly, adult amputees are out of luck. These prosthetic arms are only planned for the kids.

Source: Open Bionics (via Engadget)

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