Art and Technology Assignment 3

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The Bionic Hand
The bionic hand is the future of prosthetics because of its ability to allow the user to move the fingers by themselves. It was invented in 2007 by David Gow and is formally named the iLIMB. It uses its own motor-control system to allow the fingers, thumb, and palm to move independently of each other. The technology behind the iLIMB is drawn from the prosthetics that are common today and modern computers.
The furthest back we’ve traced the use of prosthetics is to Ancient Egypt with a prosthetic big toe. The big toe prosthetic was more practical and did not require movement as its only purpose was to keep the sandal from falling off. When prosthetic limbs started to appear they, like the big toe, lack movement and were mainly used for a specific purpose, such as with General Marcus Serguis of the Ancient Roman military who had an iron arm that he used to hold his shield. Prosthetics remained the same up until Ambroise Paré, who introduced hinged prosthetic. From that innovation, James Hanger created the “Hanger Limb”, which included more hinges to allow a more realistic movement. James Hanger’s company is still a leader in the prosthetic industry today. That brings use to today where most prosthetics are being made with new materials to make them lighter and stronger and have slowly started to introduce motor-functions into them.
The way computers have influenced the iLIMB is with the software and programming that goes into them being able to function without having to be plugged into anything. The iLIMB is essentially a very basic computer that can process what the user wants it to do through various nerve impulses it can sense. This makes it mimic the way regular people move their arms. The program in the iLIMB works with the brain to move, making feel very natural for the user as they can move their fingers with a thought.
The iLIMB will influence the future of prosthetics to become unnoticeable from regular limbs and body parts. The functions of the prosthetic may also become more advanced and have more capabilities beyond that of the human body. Perhaps even super speed and strength like a superhero. It may also influence human and technology working together and maybe even becoming intertwined. The largest impact to could have is on the design of robots. It could make robots really be able to move fluidly and more human. The robots of today generally do not look very alive, such as the robots made by Boston Dynamics, which are still made to fulfill a purpose rather than make them human-like. The iLIMB has the potential to really blur the line of technology and nature. The concept of what it means to be alive could also blur.
Over all, the iLIMB and the bionic hand is the future of prosthetics in that it mimics the function of human limbs and can go beyond the basics into possibly super strength and speed. The iLIMB can also influence the design of future robots into making them more lifelike. Bionic advancements could become the next stage in human evolution and robotic evolution. Prosthetics could become obsolete in the sense that humans could decide to get a bionic prosthetic just for the advancements it could have over the regular human limb. Prosthetics could become a choice for most people and not just a way to improve amputees lives. Robocop could cease to be science fiction, like how many advancements in science started as an idea by the likes of science fiction authors like Jules Verne.

Works Cited
Layton, Julia. “How can someone control a machine with her thoughts?” howstuffworks, https://science.howstuffworks.com/bionic-arm.htm.
Marshall, John. “The History of Prosthetics.” UNYQ, http://unyq.com/the-history-of-prosthetics/.
Gabriel, Brian. “The Best Inventions of the 21st Century.” Bizfluent, https://bizfluent.com/info-8059828-inventions-21st-century.html.


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