Dean Kamen's Robotic Arm

Dean Kamen’s Robot Arm Grabs More Publicity

• By Dylan F. Tweney
• May 29, 2008 |
• 1:57 pm |
• Categories: Miscellaneous
• 
  

Dean Kamen showed some video of the impressive, mind-controlled prosthetic robot arm he’s invented today at D6 in Carlsbad. Kamen has been showing the arm off since early 2007, usually via video clips like what he showed today. But today’s demonstration at D6 was impressive enough that it’s got the gadget blogs and the Twitterverse all aflutter today.

Deservedly so: Kamen’s arm, dubbed "Luke" (after Skywalker, I assume), is an incredibly sophisticated bit of engineering that’s lightyears ahead of the clamping "claws" that many amputees are forced to use today. The arm is fully articulated, giving the user the same degrees of movement as a natural arm, and is sensitive enough to pick up a piece of paper, a wineglass or even a grape without mishap.

D6 posted the video above, which contains highlights from Kamen’s remarks and demonstrations of the arm itself.

Dylan edits Wired.com's Gadget Lab blog, and likes to write about technology, science, gadgets, and their impact on society and culture.
Follow @dylan20 and @gadgetlab on Twitter