Lincoln University engineers have created a prosthetic arm prototype for toddlers

Lincoln University engineers have created a prototype prosthetic arm that can detect electrical signals naturally produced by muscles through a sensor-equipped bracelet. Like a natural arm, the 3D printed prosthetic arm enables children under the age of 2 to pick up objects.

The University of Lincoln’s School of Engineering senior lecturer and project led, Dr. Khaled Goher, stated: “Many traditional active prosthetics are unsuitable for toddlers as they are very time consuming to construct and heavy. Our proposed system would utilise a 7-channel paediatric armband with motion sensors allowing infants to benefit from and become familiar with active prosthetics with evidence showing that the earlier the exposure, the more likely for the prosthetics to be accepted and used throughout life. So far, the device has been tested for grasp force and effectiveness using a range of everyday objects including toys, bottles and building blocks, but the next stage of the project is to test the prototype design on toddlers.”