If people had 6 fingers: scientists conducted an experiment with a robotic prosthesis


British researchers from University College London have created a robotic prosthetic thumb that can be controlled by wireless sensors attached to the big toes. Rotating each toe, you can control the prosthesis: take various small and large objects. The technology worked great, but the researchers were interested to see how the brain reacts when a robotic prosthesis is used for an extended period of time as a sixth finger.

The researchers conducted an experiment and gave 36 people a prosthetic finger, which they fixed under the little finger of their right hand (all subjects were right-handed). For five days, the participants were asked to use it both in the laboratory and in the field. One of the objectives of the experiment was to educate the subjects about the possibilities and teach them new and unique ways of handling objects.

With the help of an extra finger, people could hold a cup of coffee and at the same time hold a spoon with their own fingers, stirring it in the same cup. Some participants used a robotic finger to turn the pages of a book they held with the same hand. On average, they all wore the prosthesis for just under 3 hours a day.

The news is supplemented …

You may also like