Latest news with #OpenBionics
Fox News
20-05-2025
- Fox News
Wireless, waterproof bionic arm with 360-degree wrist rotation
Most of us do not think twice about picking up a cup of coffee, sending a quick text or carrying groceries in from the car. For people who use prosthetic hands, though, these everyday tasks can be a real challenge. That is why the arrival of the Hero PRO by Open Bionics is such big news. This new bionic hand is waterproof, wireless and faster and stronger than anything that came before it. It is designed to help people who rely on prosthetics move through life with more ease and confidence. Even if you do not need a device like this yourself, the technology behind Hero PRO is changing what is possible for thousands of people, and it is worth knowing how far things have come. Let's dive into what makes the Hero PRO so remarkable and why it captures so much attention. Hero PRO is crafted from robust Nylon PA12 using advanced 3D printing, making it both tough and incredibly lightweight. In fact, it is the lightest bionic hand system available today. The design is sleek and customizable with more than 50 cover options in different colors and patterns, allowing users to swap looks to match their style and personality. The Hero PRO is the only bionic hand that is both fully wireless and waterproof. Rated IPX7, which means it can be submerged in water up to about 3 feet deep for 30 minutes without damage, it can handle splashes and even submersion, so users do not have to worry about getting it wet during daily activities. Wireless MyoPods, placed on the skin, pick up muscle signals to control the hand, eliminating the need for invasive implants or bulky wires. This bionic hand is twice as fast as leading competitors, with fingers that open and close rapidly to keep up with busy lives. It can carry up to 57 pounds, doubling the load capacity of previous models, making tasks like carrying groceries or lifting heavy objects much easier. The patented thumb design uses a single motor for powerful and precise grips, while the index finger features a touchscreen-compatible tip for seamless device use on the go. Hero PRO offers more wrist flexion and rotation than any other bionic hand, with up to 45 degrees of manual flexion in both directions and a full 360-degree rotation. Users can quickly switch between work and sports modes, thanks to a USMC-standard wrist connector and more than 50 compatible activity attachments. With seven grip modes, including a precision key grip, users can handle everything from typing and cooking to pushing a stroller or tying shoelaces. These grips can be customized and updated wirelessly through the Sidekick App. A single four-hour charge powers the Hero PRO for a full day. The battery is cleverly miniaturized and integrated directly into the hand, helping to keep the weight down. USB-C charging makes powering up quick and easy, whether at home or on the go. The development of Hero PRO was shaped by feedback from around 1,000 users, including influencer Tilly Lockey, who lost both hands to meningitis as a child. Tilly played a key role in testing and refining the technology, and her experience highlights just how transformative the Hero PRO can be. She describes being able to multitask effortlessly, like pulling a suitcase and drinking hot chocolate at the same time, and even detaching the hand to control it remotely using muscle signals. Pricing for advanced bionic hands like the Hero PRO is not always straightforward. Open Bionics, the company behind this technology, does not list a fixed price on its website. Instead, they encourage interested users to contact them directly for a personalized quote, since each device is custom-made to fit the individual's needs. For context, most high-end bionic arms on the market can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $80,000, depending on the features and customization required. Open Bionics aims to make their devices more affordable than traditional options, with some of their earlier models reportedly costing about five times less than conventional robotic prosthetics. However, the exact price for the latest models, including the Hero PRO, will depend on factors like insurance coverage, customization and specific user requirements. If you are interested in learning more about pricing or the process, it is best to reach out directly to Open Bionics for a detailed quote tailored to your needs. Technology like the Hero PRO is not just about gadgets and gears. It is about helping people do more of the things they love with less hassle. For those who rely on prosthetic hands, every improvement can mean a world of difference, whether that is carrying a heavy bag, using a smartphone or simply feeling more confident in daily life. Even if you do not need a prosthetic yourself, it is inspiring to see how far this technology has come and how it continues to open new possibilities for so many people. What everyday challenges do you think advanced bionic technology could help overcome, and what would you most want to see in the next generation of prosthetic devices? Let us know by writing us at For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Follow Kurt on his social channels: Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions: New from Kurt: Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Reuters
18-04-2025
- Reuters
Influencer's 'pretty crazy' bionic hand can crawl on its own
Nineteen-year-old Instagram influencer Tilly Lockey has been at the forefront of prosthetic innovation with UK-based robotics company Open Bionics for nearly a decade. Now, she's the proud owner of their latest bionic arms - this time with hands that can operate when detached from the wearer's body. Alice Rizzo reports.
CBS News
24-02-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Utah girl gifted life-changing bionic arm from stranger pays it forward to other kids in need
Remi Bateman was born without her left forearm and hand but she doesn't let it slow her down. Now 9 years old, Bateman is busy riding her bike and scooter around her neighborhood in Utah – and she's got her sights set on doing even more daily tasks, like cutting her own food and doing her own hair. Remi has been using a silicone prosthesis, covered by her health insurance, since she was 6 months old. While the prosthetic is helpful, it's heavy and doesn't give her the ability to move fingers. "Her current prosthetic is pretty stationary and doesn't do a lot," her mother, Jami, told "CBS Mornings." The hand on Remi's prosthesis was molded into a plastic fist. A "life changing" mission Last year, Jami came across a social media post for Open Bionics and its 3D-printed multi-grip "Hero Arm." Each finger has its own motor, making it possible to grip everyday items with precision. Within 48 hours, Jami and her husband, Josh, scheduled a video consultation with Open Bionics and drove to their clinic in Denver, Colorado for an initial fitting. "It was life changing," Jami said. "This bionic arm is like 95 percent of having a real hand." The Batemans hoped insurance would help pay for the Hero Arm but their provider denied coverage, saying it wasn't "medically necessary," according to Jami. Without insurance, the bionic arm cost $24,000. "I do understand that you can live just fine without [a hand], but imagine what you could do with two hands. I feel like the whole world is built around having two hands," Jami said. Like many Americans with medical needs not covered by insurance, the Batemans turned to crowdsourcing. On Dec. 10, 2024, Remi's fight for her Hero Arm made the local news. Within four days, the Batemans raised over $24,000. Andy Schoonover, CEO of CrowdHealth, a subscriber-based crowdfunding platform for medical bills, also contacted the Batemans after seeing their plea for help online. "He told me he would pay for Remi's hand in cash," said Jami. And that's where the story takes a turn. Paying it forward With Schoonover's gift, Jami realized they still had $24,000 in donations. She asked her daughter what she wanted to do with it. "Help more kids," Remi enthusiastically replied. "So people can actually have a life-changing arm like me." Across the country in Maryland, 9-year-old Tyraun "Taj" Johnson was also trying to raise money for a Hero Arm. He was born with a partial left hand. His family worked hand specialists at Johns Hopkins Medicine to look at surgery and different prosthesis options to give him some usage of his left hand. They were hopeful the Hero Arm could be the solution they were searching for. But like Remi, Taj's health insurance company denied the coverage of the Hero Arm. His family was devastated. "You're telling me that a kid able to function with daily tasks – something as small as feeding themselves, getting telling me that that's not medically necessary?" his mother, Kaitlin Skinner, asked. "I would give Taj my left hand if I could," Kaitlin added. The family started lemonade stands to raise the money for the bionic arm. In four months, they had only made $1,500. Then they got a life-changing call from Remi's mom. The Bateman's offered to use the donations they received for Remi's arm for Taj's Hero Arm. Open Bionics helped connect the families. Samantha Payne, co-founder of Open Bionics, told CBS News clinicians spend a lot of time assisting families in appealing insurance denials. "The technology is 20 years old and has been tested," added Payne. A dream come true Kaitlin was brought to tears by the Batemans' generous offer and thanked them for making Taj's dream come true. "Taj got teary eyed when he saw a video of Remi holding a fork with the Hero Arm," Kaitlin said. One of the things Taj is most looking forward to is playing sports. Kaitlin recently drove to New York City with Taj to meet Daniel Green, upper limb prosthetist at Open Bionics, who will make the mold that will become Taj's Hero Arm. While in New York, Taj had a surprise visitor: Remi and her mom. They arrived at our invitation. A new friendship forged through the kindness of strangers. Remi and Taj plan to meet again during the summer. "If we have a playdate with our [Hero] robot arms, we could be like Ironman," Remi said. Donations for Remi continued to pour in. So she's continued to pay it forward, using the fund to help two more 11 year olds fund their Hero Arms after insurance denied their claims.
