Superhero-Themed Bionic Arms For Children

"Boring physical therapy" becomes "superhero training" for children with a UK company's film-themed bionic limbs.

12:40, UK, Sunday 11 October 2015

The prosthetic limbs are inspired by film characters. Pic: Open Bionics

Superhero and other movie-themed bionic hands and arms for children are being made by a British company.

Bristol-based Open Bionics says it is trying to boost the confidence of children who need to use prosthetic limbs and to get them excited with the bright designs.

There is the Iron Man hand "hot out of character Tony Stark's workshop", the Star Wars lightsaber hand, and the Snowflake hand, inspired by Queen Elsa from Frozen.
The company is using 3D printing to keep the cost affordable but, with the increased focus on the designs, they hope to make the prosthetics something the wearer can be proud of, as well as something that makes their lives easier.

One of the prosthetic limbs. Pic: Open Bionics

The Walt Disney Company donated royalty-free licences and artwork from the three hit movies for the limbs.
According to the Open Bionics website, children will not only get the medical devices they need but will also get bionic hands inspired by their favourite characters.
"(Children) won't have to do boring physical therapy - they'll train to become heroes," the website reads.
The company is also behind the Open Hand project, which provides free plans for creating prosthetics using ABS plastic and 3D printing.

Sourced from sky news