This mind-controlled prosthetic arm just got FDA approval. The DEKA arm is the first of its kind to get approval from the FDA.
The bionic arm is the result of almost eight years of work from DARPA, the US Defence Department's advanced research agency, who were looking for a better answer for amputees. Designed by a company founded by Segway inventor Dean Kamen, the mind-controlled prosthetic is roughly the same weight and size as a regular human arm.
The fake limb is controlled by electromyogram electrodes placed on the remaining portion of the human arm. The sensors collect information from the upper arm and communicate what kind of movements or manoeuvers the arm wants to do to a computer inside the prosthetic.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Brain-operated Bionic Arms
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced brain-computer interface technology to enhance control and functionality of bionic prosthetics.
- FDA Approved Mind-controlled Prosthetics
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create user-friendly and affordable mind-controlled prosthetics for amputees that improve their quality of life.
- Electromyogram Technology for Prosthetics
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate electromyogram sensors into a wide range of prosthetic devices, enabling precise and intuitive control for users.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Medical Devices
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced medical devices using mind-control technology, revolutionizing the field of prosthetics and healthcare.
- Biotechnology
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore biotechnological advancements to improve the functionality and durability of bionic prosthetics, offering unprecedented capabilities for individuals with limb loss.
- Neuroscience
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Harness neuroscientific research to improve brain-computer interface technology, opening doors for innovation in various industries beyond prosthetics.
