Patients in need of a prosthetic limb might soon be feeling the Force at their robotic fingertips, with the introduction of a new bionic arm that's being touted as the most innovative one yet.
Mobius Bionics LLC is moving forward with plans to produce and sell its LUKE bionic arms, which use complex sensors and servos to provide the wearer with a wide range of motion and dexterity. The bionic arm, named for Luke Skywalker of "Star Wars," is the first ever to receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and is expected to hit the U.S. market late this year.
"The arm offers state-of-the-art flexibility, strength, and dexterity to provide greater independence for people with forearm through shoulder-level amputations," Mobius Bionics wrote in a news release.
The arm was developed by DEKA Research & Development Corp., to help users perform a variety of tasks, from lifting groceries to carrying such delicate items as a phone or an egg.
"We developed the LUKE arm to change the game for amputees – creating an innovative, integrated system that offers greater functionality and independence to our wounded warriors and other amputees," DEKA President Dean Kamen said in a statement.
The LUKE arm has powered shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand joints, which enable the user to raise his or her hand above head level, and to delicately grip items that might break under too much force. Users can control the arm through a variety of different input devices, including a foot control, a pressure switch and electromyographic electrodes.
The arm is also designed to protect against water and dust damage, although it's unclear how well it might hold up during a lightsaber duel, or whether it would last through several years in exile on an ancient Jedi planet.
