The problem with functional prosthetic arms is that they cost a fortune, averaging between $20,000 and $100,000. That doesn’t account for the time and money that goes into working and getting fitted with a prosthetist.
To make functional prosthetics more accessible for all, a startup called Unlimited Tomorrow is creating customizable, 3D-printed prosthetic arms that amputees can order online. They can even do the fitting online, which cuts out the middleman and lowers costs further.
The 3D-printed arm was invented by Easton LaChappelle, aged 24, who started creating his first robotic arm when he was just 14. Skip forward to today and he is 3D printing customized robot arms that can be controlled with the mind, which he calls the TrueLimb. Applicants scan their limbs using a home 3D scanner, then place the order online.
Compared to prosthetic arms that can cost six-figure sums, LaChappelle’s TrueLimb only costs $8,000. On top of that, these robotic arms provide much more functionality thanks to features such as haptic feedback, individual finger control, and multi-day battery life.
As explained in FreeThink, myoelectric sensors in the limb sockets that read muscles, users can control the limb with their minds. Plus, embedded into the limb is cloud access, which enables software upgrades as they become available.
Although the TrueLimb is a huge achievement, Lachappelle doesn’t plan to stop there. The young inventor hopes to expand to other limbs and exoskeletons, or even wearable robotic suits. As always, we’ll be keeping an eye out for more of his work.
