The first magnetically controlled robotic hand is performing beyond expectations. The innovative system, which represents an important step forward for the future of prosthetics, was developed by a research group from the BioRobotics Institute of the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa, which published the results in the journal Science Robotics.
The idea behind the prosthesis is to use small magnets, a few millimeters in size, to be implanted in the remaining muscles of the amputated arm. The researchers, coordinated by Professor Christian Cipriani, then translated the movements of the remaining muscles into signals to control the fingers of the robotic hand. The innovative system was tested for six weeks by Daniel, a 34-year-old Italian boy who lost his left hand in 2022. Last year Daniel underwent an operation at the University Hospital of Pisa to implant six magnets: each magnet was necessary to locate and isolate the muscle, position the small device, and check its function. In addition, to make the connection between the arm and the prosthesis easier, the researchers created a carbon fiber structure that contains the electronic system capable of localizing the movement of the magnets.
Daniel was able to control his fingers and perform basic, everyday actions such as opening a jar, using a screwdriver, cutting with a knife, closing a chain, and even controlling strength when he had to grasp fragile objects.
