The Hero Arm, a 3D-printed prosthetic arm, has transformed the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Harry Jones, born in the UK without the lower part of his right elbow, received a bionic arm resembling Iron Man's arm on December 16th as a gift from Open Bionics.

The Hero Arm stands out not just in appearance but also in functionality compared to typical prosthetic arms.

While regular prosthetic arms mimic the appearance of an arm, the Hero Arm can seamlessly work with the movements of forearm muscles, resulting in a much more natural range of motion.

Although there isn't an official statistic for the overall population of amputees using prosthetics, approximately 5,000 people undergo accidents leading to limb amputation, highlighting the substantial need for advanced prosthetic solutions.

For those who have lost limbs due to accidents, prosthetics and assistive devices are essential for overcoming pain, regaining a sense of normalcy, and reintegrating into everyday life.

Despite their importance, prosthetics often feel somewhat unnatural compared to natural limbs, as they lack the intricate movements of knees, ankles, and feet that occur organically.

As a result, individuals wearing prosthetic limbs may appear to move less naturally to those unaccustomed to seeing them, in comparison to individuals with natural limbs.

Recently, various research labs and companies have been actively engaged in research and development to achieve more precise control of prosthetic limbs for individuals who use them.

The goal is to reduce discomfort and enable a more seamless integration into daily life.

In 2018, Mobius Bionics in the United States unveiled the LUKE Arm, an advanced prosthetic limb offering precise control not only at the wrist or elbow but even down to each individual finger.

This innovation includes pressure sensors at the fingertips, allowing for a gentler grip on delicate objects like eggs.

BrainCo, another U.S. biomedical company, has developed a robotic prosthetic arm that moves by analyzing both brainwave and electromyographic signals from the arm simultaneously.

In November of the previous year, the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) in Korea introduced a new technology for robot prosthetic control.

This innovation captures real-time signals from the fine muscles of an amputee and transmits them to the sensors of a robot prosthetic.

While advancements are occurring globally, the Korean product lags behind the LUKE Arm or the Hero Arm, and its commercialization is still a distant goal.

To bridge this gap, interdisciplinary studies in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Neural Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and other related fields are crucial for South Korea to match research activities in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Recently, the Korean government announced a structural adjustment in R&D budgets, aiming to focus on selected areas.

It' is hoped that such targeted investments will lead to significant advancements in neglected fields like artificial prosthetics.

SeokJun Kim

Grade 12

Woodberry Forest School