In life, some people have the unique talent of keeping expectations humble and in check. This can be for many reasons, all of which are understandable. Such was the case for Summer G, congenital amputee from California who has been wearing a passive hand prosthesis, but realized it was time for a change. She was fitted with her very own Hero Arm in March at our Los Angeles clinic. We took some time to get to know Summer and find out more about her experience.
Summer first was introduced to Open Bionics in 2022. At the time, Summer was using a passive prosthesis and was on disability benefits. In addition, her insurance would not fund a myoelectric prosthesis. Being on disability meant that Summer could not crowdfund for a Hero Arm, as those funds would have counted as income for her and would have interfered with the disability benefits that she needed. We often don’t think about some of the barriers that the limb different community may face in their attempts to receive adaptive devices, but Summer’s situation is a reminder just how discouraging the system can be, and how it’s important not to give up!
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“I don’t care when people stare at me now, I’m like yes I have a robot hand!”
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Summer was pleased to find out that after time, a new Open Bionics clinic had opened closer to her, in Los Angeles, and she decided to give it another try. “I made a vacation out of it, I came down and stayed for three days,” she said. About a month after her evaluation with our clinician Will managing the insurance process, Summer found out that this time her Hero Arm would be approved. “I usually keep a level head, but when I found out it was approved this time, I felt that I was allowed to get excited,” she shared. This time, Summer traveled in style “I have a friend who owns a two-man airplane, and he actually flew me there to get it.” Summer shared.
Much to our pleasure, Summer shared that her new Hero Arm has opened a door to new abilities. “I can do so much more with it, I can open doors, take a drink,” Summer said of what she can do more adaptively with her Hero Arm. Summer also shared that now she feels that her clothing fits better than without a prosthesis. “I also feel more even,” she explained. “I used to rest my arm a bit behind my body for balance and now with the Hero Arm I’m sitting more forward which is good for my posture.” she said.
Probably the biggest highlight of all is Summer’s newfound attitude when people look at her. “I don’t care when people stare at me now, I’m like yes I have a robot hand!” she quipped. Summer recalled that previously, people would often stare at her because she just had one hand, whereas now they are looking at her impressive new bionic prosthesis. This is something that we love to hear. Being able to proudly show off the Hero Arm and invite people into a conversation about limb difference is such an important aspect of advocating for the limb different community.
“It feels good that people can be very supportive and that they share the excitement of it with me, which makes me feel really good,” she said. Summer also shared that now that she has her Hero Arm, she’s able to use her body in a way that won’t put as much strain on her over time, which can be a common issue for those with a limb difference, “My posture is completely different now!”
If you are interested in trialing the Hero Arm to see if its the right prosthesis for you, please click on the link below to begin your bionic journey and a representative from our team will be in touch with you!
If you’re looking for a brand-new, custom care clinic to begin your bionic journey with Open Bionics, then look no further. Over the past year, Open Bionics has been growing their clinical presence in the United States to bring quality care and prosthetic access to the limb different community. New York and Los Angeles joined a few months back, and now we are pleased to welcome our new Orlando clinic and its prosthetist, Emily Shannon.
We recently had the opportunity to chat with Emily, so that you have the pleasure of getting to know who you’ll be meeting and working with when you choose to visit the Sunshine State Open Bionics clinic!
Q: Open Bionics is excited to have you on the team, Emily. We look forward to seeing your clinic and relationships with patients grow. Can you share with our readers a bit about yourself?
A: I’m excited to be joining! I was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. I attended Duke University as an undergraduate (go Blue Devils!) where my passion for engineering and design really started to grow.
Q: Were you involved in any organizations or clubs while pursuing your education?
A: Yes! At Duke, I was heavily involved with a student group called e-Nable, which was focused on designing and fitting 3D printed devices for upper limb amputees. This group gave me the opportunity to dip my toes in 3D printing and scanning, digital rendering, patient-centred design, and – most importantly – it introduced me to the field of prosthetics.
Q: That is very cool! Is this where your interest in making a career in prosthetics began? How else did you know you had found the right career?
A: I met with a few certified prosthetists and orthotists who taught me about the broader field. Once I started shadowing clinicians and exploring the field on my own, I knew that this was the right fit for me. It was the perfect combination of design, problem-solving, innovation, and working with people.
Q: And how did your professional career grow from there?
A: I completed my master’s degree in O&P at the University of Pittsburgh and went on to do my residency at a large private facility in Houston, Texas. Most recently, I have been working at a pediatric-heavy clinic back in my hometown of Charlotte. Some of my career highlights include orthotics in an acute neuro rehab hospital, scoliosis bracing, cranial remolding, and carbon strutted AFO designs.
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Once I started shadowing clinicians and exploring the field on my own, I knew that this was the right fit for me!
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Q: What is one of the top things your most excited for now that you’re with Open Bionics?
A: Focusing on upper extremity prosthetics has been an unspoken dream of mine since the start, so I am beyond excited to work with Open Bionics and bring my clinical experience to this arena.
Q: We can’t wait to see the community you build. In your personal time, what are some things that you most enjoy?
A: Outside of work, you can find me hanging out with my rescue dog, running, watching Duke basketball, and exploring my new city!
Open Bionics is excited to have Emily part of the growing team of US clinicians, and we can’t wait for you to meet her in Orlando. Emily will bring custom and quality care to your Hero Arm & Hero Flex journey. If you are interested in your very own Hero Arm, click on the link below to begin your bionic journey.
The Hero Arm uses myoelectric sensors which detect underlying muscular contractions generated from specific muscle groups in the arm. These are then amplified and converted into intuitive and proportional bionic hand movements. Each Hero Arm is custom-built for optimal comfort, and fits like a glove.
Welcome back to part two of our chat with quad amputee and double Hero Arm user Torie Mugo. If you missed the first part of the interview, please visit the Q&A here. A few months ago, Torie was fitted with two custom Hero Arms at the Open Bionics Denver, Colorado clinic after losing all her limbs to sepsis. Each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 1.7 million adults in the US develop sepsis. Torie fought her battle with sepsis and won. Now, she’s using her experience to better her life and help others. We had the opportunity to chat with Torie about her journey thus far, and this time we’ll dive into more detail on Torie’s hospital and recovery experience, rounding off with how she is now using her time and energy to volunteer to help others.
Q: Welcome back Torie! Please remind our readers where you are from and a bit of background.
A: I was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and I’m 42 years old. I moved to the US at 19 and went to college for a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a masters in international business.
Q: You’ve had your Hero Arms for a while now. How are you getting on with them? What are some ways you’ve put them to use?
A: My Hero Arms have improved my efficiency in a lot of ways! When I’m traveling, my suitcase is easy to hold. I no longer need to remember to bring my eating aid. Drinking from a cup is easier and comfortable, especially when liquids are hot or cold. Overall, picking things up is easier, even simple things like running my fingers through my hair. I can’t wait to continue to discover what else I can do with them. So far, I’m very grateful.
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Overall, picking things up is easier, even simple things like running my fingers through my hair
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Q: For those just now reading, can you share how you became limb different?
A: Four years ago, I got pneumonia which turned septic. Unfortunately, I ended up in a coma for a month. I went through ecmo (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), life support, and I had a trachea inserted because my lungs failed.
Q: I imagine going through that initially was very scary and difficult.
A: It was hard for me and my entire family. My parents didn’t live here, and I had a three-year-old and my auntie here with me. It looked like I wasn’t going to make it, they had me only at 2% that I would make it, and the doctors needed my parents to be here.
Q: Unimaginable. When did things begin to show signs of improvement?
A: My lungs showed signs of improvement after 4 weeks, so I was taken off life support but kept on the trachea so that my lungs could build up more strength.
Q: How was it decided that amputation was necessary?
A: Because of the ecmo, my hands and legs didn’t get blood circulation and were necrotic. Ecmo takes blood out of certain systems to oxygenate vital organs, so there was no way my limbs would have recovered. I was just happy to be alive. We waited to amputate because my body needed to be stable enough to withstand the operations.
Q: Can you dive into the aftermath and your initial recovery process?
A: Being in the hospital for three months and having someone always there to watch in case something was to happen was a change. It was nerve racking at first because my lungs and heart were weakened by the whole ordeal. Moving from one spot to another was a challenge.
Q: Did you do any type of therapy or training?
A: I had to do my own physical therapy because I couldn’t afford insurance at the time. That was a rough position because my thought was “when I leave the hospital, then what?” A friend put me in contact with an NGO (non-governmental organization), but the process was slow and needed board approval. I was told the earliest I could do therapy with them was six months after I was discharged, so I thought: “what do I do? Stay home and do nothing?” My solution was buying stretch bands from Amazon, working out my arms and my legs every day.
Q: What motivated you to keep pushing through?
A: I remember looking at a collage of pictures my family had made, and I just wanted to run again. I was an avid athlete before all this happened, so that was all I wanted to get back to. When I told that to my parents, their response was “one step at a time.” But my focus was if I could run again, I’d be okay.
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I just wanted to run again…my focus was if I could run again, I’d be okay
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Q: Was this also the point where you considered prosthetics may help you?
A: I got my first prosthetics in July, but again, no physical therapy yet. But I told my dad “I am going to walk.” My dad was so proud the moment I first stood up, for me to see the smile on his face was great. My prosthetist told me to just stand on them and wear them every day, that way I’d get used to them. By the end of the month I was fitted with leg prosthetics, I was walking on my own. It was all mind over matter!
Q: What came next for you?
A: That fall, I participated in a sepsis run event in Colorado. I ended up walking with the runners at the end portion of the 5K! It was amazing because to find myself in that type of environment encouraged me to keep pushing on. From there, I got running blades through a grant program – Challenge Athletes Foundation. They offer grants for those who cannot afford adaptive sport equipment.
Q: What other activities have you started participating in?
A: I do volunteer work, Limb Preservation Foundation is a great group. We are doing a golf event this month and I’m on the committee that’s putting that on. It’s exciting! If anyone calls me for any event, I go. I started a sepsis support group at my hospital for those who may be facing a similar situation as I did.
Final thoughts: Torie, your journey is one of overcoming challenges, and pursuing passions before sepsis. We are proud to see that you’ve begun to reassimilate and volunteer to help others, as well as use your Hero Arms to do the little things people may take for granted. We can’t wait to see what you do next.
If you are interested in trialing a Hero Arm for free, be sure to click on the link below to begin your bionic journey!
The Hero Arm uses myoelectric sensors which detect underlying muscular contractions generated from specific muscle groups in the arm. These are then amplified and converted into intuitive and proportional bionic hand movements. Each Hero Arm is custom-built for optimal comfort, and fits like a glove.
In the United States, a top leading cause of upper-limb amputation is related to trauma. This can stem from accidents, more specifically, agricultural accidents. Not only can these instances be traumatic for those unfortunately involved, but they also spell a shift in how daily life is lived, learning to adapt, and overcoming new challenges. Open Bionics exists to amplify the stories of those living with limb difference and provide them with care & support, whether they may be new or have been living with it for a long time. This week, we had the pleasure of chatting with Conor, a farmer who recently lost his left arm and is in the process of getting a Hero Arm through the Open Bionics Denver clinic.
Q: Can you tell us about yourself, your background, and hobbies?
A: I am 27 years old, and I’m from Northwest Kansas, out in the middle of nowhere. I usually tell people that our nearest Walmart supermarket is about an hour and a half away. I work on the farm with my dad, grandpa, and wife – that does take up most of our time. My wife and I have two kids, both under the age of three, and if we aren’t working on the farm, we spend time with them.
Q: What kind of animals do you have on your farm?
A: We raise cow-calf pairs, so we breed cows and then sell the babies once they reach maturity age. We have a couple of horses, working dogs that help us in the pastures with the cows, and one duck—which does whatever she wants.
Q: Pivoting into how you became limb different, are you comfortable sharing how your accident occurred and how you’ve taken steps on your recovery journey so far?
A: Yeah—so, the accident happened last December, I was just working on a piece of farming equipment, it happened to turn on while my hand was in the way, so that’s how I lost my hand. We rushed to our small-town hospital, and they did the best that they could to help but ended up flying me to Kansas City – KU Medical Center.
Q: What steps were taken at KU to help?
A: They tried twice to reattach the hand, both times were unsuccessful. The first time they tried, it lasted for a week, so we thought we were in the clear, but it started to go backwards. Blood was getting to the hand but wasn’t leaving it. The second try only lasted 16 hours, and so we decided on amputation.
Q: And what did the aftercare and rehabilitation look like after you went back home?
A: I just ended up meeting with my local family doctor for the recovery. I’ve had a few telehealth meetings with them, just because they are five hours away. It’s much easier to do telehealth.
Q: I’m sure it’s been a challenging time to assimilate and learn how to do things adaptively. Has your doctor put you through occupational therapy or other ways to learn how to adapt to life with one hand?
A: It’s kind of new to small-town Kansas so they’re learning right along with me. I haven’t done any occupational therapy; I’ve just tried to go back to the way life was before the accident and just adapted. As my healing has progressed, I’ve started using my arm more and more. It took about 4-6 weeks to fully go back to using it once the stitches came out.
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I’ve just tried to go back to the way life was before the accident and just adapted. As my healing has progressed, I’ve started using my arm more and more
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Q: Did you try any prosthetics during this time?
A: We had been going through insurance and I had a body powered prosthesis because that’s all they would cover. We tried a different prosthetics company, but the insurance denied it, and denied our appeal. The body powered – I hate the thing – I’ve used it maybe four hours total. I just feel very lethargic using it, with the way the straps are situated.
Q: When did Open Bionics come into the journey for you? How did you learn about us and what made you decide the Hero Arm is what you wanted?
A: It was my wife who found Open Bionics, we were getting quoted ridiculous numbers for myoelectric arms, so we began searching for grants that different farm companies put on to help farmers who’ve lost hands, etc. My wife found Open Bionics through that search. We got all the info we requested and had a call with Brittany and Elise, and from there I went to Denver. We realized that Open Bionics was trying to help people like us in similar situations and not trying to necessarily turn a profit off me. They’re charging something that’s reasonable if you cannot get insurance to say yes.
Q: And how did your clinic experience go?
A: It’s been great. It was the most personable clinic experience that we’ve had, the most down to Earth people. We don’t feel like we are being rushed in and out. Using the Hero Arm was very cool – my daughter wants to 3D print a hand now..
Q: What are your hopes and expectations once you get your Hero Arm?
A: It’s going to be great to have something cool and something to just provide basic functionality, being able to work two pieces of silverware at a time – just simple things. My expectations are higher than they were before getting to travel to Denver, so I’m more hopeful now.
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It was the most personable clinic experience that we’ve had, the most down to Earth people. We don’t feel like we are being rushed in and out. Using the Hero Arm was very cool
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We will be sure to check back in with Conor once his Hero Arm is delivered, so be sure to continue to watch this space for more on Conor’s journey. If you or someone you know is interested in trialing the Hero Arm for free, be sure to follow the link below to register interest.
The Hero Arm uses myoelectric sensors which detect underlying muscular contractions generated from specific muscle groups in the arm. These are then amplified and converted into intuitive and proportional bionic hand movements. Each Hero Arm is custom-built for optimal comfort, and fits like a glove.
Since its creation in 2014, Open Bionics has been hard at work producing Hero Arms for upper limb amputees across the world. Each day, the world becomes more and more bionic. Unique upper limb amputees are learning how to integrate their Hero Arms into their everyday lives, whether that be using their prosthetics to cut food in the kitchen, walk their dog, or type on a keyboard. But one crucial aspect of the bionic journey that Open Bionics values in each user is keeping them in the fold. User feedback, check ins, and brainstorming ideas for the future are important. We want users to know that their aftercare and experiences after time has passed since delivery is a pillar of our vision. We don’t want our community to go unheard.
Recently, the Open Bionics team had the opportunity to sit down with Hero Arm, Natalie Grazian, who has been wearing her Hero Arm since 2021.The company joined the Q&A on Google Meets ready to learn more about her Hero Arm experience and gain valuable feedback on how and how Open Bionics can build and grow moving forward. Natalie is a congenital amputee and resident of the Seattle, Washington area. She had her Hero Arm fitted through the Hangar Clinic. She is currently studying occupational therapy and is a camp volunteer through Camp No Limits. In her spare time Natalie enjoys yoga, drumming, reading, and using her Hero Arm to crochet.
First off, Natalie expressed to the team that her journey with limb difference early on was defined largely by her desire to fit in with society, which led her to using a passive, skin toned prosthesis that offered no real accommodations to her needs.
“It was purely cosmetic. It may have done good things for my posture and back, but the only reason I wore it was to make an impression before someone noticed I was missing my hand.” Natalie explained. Find out how Natalie gained confidence to embrace her full-self in her recent guest post for Open Bionics.
During 2021, Natalie came to a change of perspective, and began researching bionic limbs that would ‘allow for functionality’ but look just different enough to allow her to uniquely not fit into society in a positive way. Natalie said that the top result when using those search parameters was Open Bionics. “The social part and the function part are so intertwined and that’s very interesting. The Open Bionics team were especially curious to know how the Hero Arm has played a role in Natalie’s self-expression and what has made it most valuable to her thus far, to which Natalie expressed that it isn’t always the functionally, but rather how the prosthesis looks and makes her feel.
“A really basic functional grip that lets me carry two things at once, and the fact that it just looks cool. I think Open Bionics is onto something fantastic with making a lower-cost hand that has fewer grips. Taking it a step further, I don’t think it has to look like a five-fingered human hand.” Natalie said.
“The Hero Arm has such a strong aesthetic — it’s bold, elegant, classic-looking, a little cyberpunk, and those same design principles could be applied to a simpler myoelectric terminal device that isn’t hand-shaped,” she said. “If it looks amazing and has a reliable single grip, it doesn’t matter to me what shape it is.” Natalie shared.
We are also always keen to learn about the outside clinic process, and Natalie shared that her prosthetist had her back the entire way while being fitted for her Hero Arm.
“My prosthetist was fantastic, they had actually fitted someone else there recently with a Hero Arm and they really liked it,” she said. In addition, and of utmost importance in a prosthesis fitting journey, Natalie explained that her prosthetist also helped her navigate daunting insurance hurdles, something that amputees unfortunately face too often than not.
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The Hero Arm has such a strong aesthetic — it’s bold, elegant, classic-looking, a little cyberpunk.
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“It was fascinating that they wanted to know if I could open a jar beforehand,” Natalie said. Her answer was no. “It makes me think that insurance doesn’t know what to ask or what is actually useful.” she shared. After a nine-month process of communicating with insurance, Natalie was denied, with the reason being that the Hero Arm wasn’t medically necessary and that not enough research exists to prove that it is.
“The folks at Hangar told me not to worry about it, that they’d handle it,” Natalie said. In addition, Natalie expressed to us that she feels lucky to be someone who gets the opportunity to use a Hero Arm, and that the opportunity needs to be continually extended to those who are facing uphill battles when it comes to prosthetic accessibility. “I think about that a lot, and I’m happy that is part of your mission.” Natalie said.
Pivoting to asking us some questions, Natalie expressed interest in learning more about what is most useful about the SideKick Hero Arm app. Within the app, users have access to training features that focus on muscle strength, training videos that highlight specific activities you can use the Hero Arm for, as well as grip sequencing depending on user preference, and light & haptic control. Connecting to Natalie’s bit about medical necessity and lack of research, the app also collects usage data that will be extremely beneficial in presenting the case for future insurance approvals.
The mental health side of disability also intrigues Natalie. She expressed that more proactive support is extremely important. “There’s so much mental health intertwined with disability, and from an OT (occupational therapy) perspective, those follow-ups could be really cool, really beneficial,” she said. “The Hero Arm is such a cool device, but it’s more than the sum of its parts, it becomes a part of the person.” Natalie expressed.
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The Hero Arm is such a cool device, but it’s more than the sum of its parts, it becomes a part of the person.
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Interestingly, Natalie and we agreed that prosthetics have a long way to go in terms of dexterity, and that the future looks interesting. For example, integrating more intricate movement and positioning of the fingers and wrist. Importantly, Natalie countered by reminding us that those systems should not come at the expense of comfort and weight. “Before there’s more grips, before there’s more motors – give it the comfort of really being able to wear it all day.” she explained.
Overwhelmingly, Natalie and we agreed upon a shared vision where people with limb difference have the funds, the means, and the resources to get this type of technology that leads to societal acceptance and emotional wellbeing not only while using a Hero Arm, but just overall.
“I’ve noticed such a societal difference towards me when I’m wearing my Hero Arm,” Natalie said. “That raises the standards for everyone, a lot of people with disabilities don’t have those resources and become more marginalized, so I’m excited yet cautious for the future, but happy to know that you (Open Bionics) are thinking about these things too.” she shared.
If you are a Hero Arm user who is interested in participating in a user chat with our team, please register interest with Lucas Slusher by sending him an email at [email protected]. If you’d like to trial the Hero Arm, click on the link below to register your interest and begin your bionic journey with us!
The Hero Arm uses myoelectric sensors which detect underlying muscular contractions generated from specific muscle groups in the arm. These are then amplified and converted into intuitive and proportional bionic hand movements. Each Hero Arm is custom-built for optimal comfort, and fits like a glove.
This week, Dominika Roza Frycz, an office clerk from Mainz has become one of the first individuals in Germany to receive the world’s first medically approved 3D printed multi-grip bionic arm.
The 25-year-old was born without a left arm, and throughout her life always found prosthetics more of a hindrance than a support. In her adulthood, Dominika has been looking for a solution to support with simple two-handed activities like holding a bag and phone.
Dominika secured funds for her Hero Arm under the national state insurance ‘I can’t believe how smooth and quick the process was. I’ve been waiting for technology like this all my life, and all of a sudden in three months, there it was, this custom piece of technology made just for me.’
After her Hero Arm fitting consultation with an Upper Limb Prosthetist Mike Unmacht (CPO at local Lammert Scherer GmbH), within a few hours Dominika transitioned from living with no right arm for over two decades, to being able to open a soft drink and pour it into a glass without assistance. Dominika reflected on what it was like to use both hands at the same time “It feels like I’ve always had two hands. I would never have imagined it like this before, but it’s a great feeling!”
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I can’t believe how smooth and quick the process was. I’ve been waiting for technology like this all my life, and all of a sudden in three months, there it was, this custom piece of technology made just for me.
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Unlike Dominika’s previous prostheses, which were heavy and very limited in functionality, her Hero Arm uses myoelectric sensors which detect underlying muscular contractions generated from specific muscle groups in his arm. These are then amplified and converted to intuitive and proportional bionic hand movements.
Samantha Payne MBE, Co-founder of Open Bionics commented on Dominika’s experience: “We’re thrilled to be able to offer our technology in Germany and hope Dominika with her Hero Arm will enjoy day-to-day activities like pouring a soft drink into a glass or holding her coffee and her bag at the same time.”
Also in attendance at the first Hero Arm fitting in Mainz was British Consulate General, Düsseldorf Nick Russell, who was also able to see how the technology worked by trying to control the Hero Arm technology using his arm muscles. Nick commented “This is a truly heroic partnership between Lammert Scherer and Open Bionics. Germany and Britain lead the way in Europe on number of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates. Today we saw a real-life example of how British-German life sciences cooperation is not only inspiring incredible innovation, but helping to improve peoples’ lives.”
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It feels like I’ve always had two hands. I would never have imagined it like this before, but it’s a great feeling!
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Open Bionics is on a mission to support individuals like Dominika to turn their disabilities into superpowers. The company uses innovative technologies such as 3D printing and 3D scanning to ensure each Hero Arm is custom-built and bespoke to the user. If you’re interested in trialing a Hero Arm for free, click on the link below to begin your bionic journey!
The Hero Arm uses myoelectric sensors which detect underlying muscular contractions generated from specific muscle groups in the arm. These are then amplified and converted into intuitive and proportional bionic hand movements. Each Hero Arm is custom-built for optimal comfort, and fits like a glove.