OPEN DESIGNS
“Prosthetics shouldn’t
cost an arm and a leg.”
3D-PRINTABLE
TRAUTMAN
HOOK
The Open Prosthetics Project
aims to bring the tenets of the
Open Hardware movement to
the field of prosthetics, which is
hindered by patents and companies’ focus on profits over
patients. The Trautman Hook is
an obsolete artificial hand that
serves more as a promise of
what is possible, rather than a
solution in itself. Print one out
and see for yourself. thingiverse.
com/thing:2194 —JB
LEGO MY HAND Why fork out $30,000 for a prosthetic hand when $500 worth of Legos can do the same job? The Open Prosthetics Project encour- ages public collaboration in prototyping low-cost pros- thetics. They’ve achieved a hand with an articulated wrist, independently moving fingers, and an opposable thumb. Next step is to add motor and sen- sor systems. If the idea clicks with you, collaborate at
openprosthetics.org. —GH
Carly Nartowicz (Skywalker)
On Wings of DEMONS
At Massachusetts’ Concord Academy, the real angels are
DEMONS (Dreamers, Engineers, Mechanics, and Overt
Nerds), the school’s invention club, who helped Luke,
a faculty member’s son diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Improving on expensive suspension walkers, the team’s
device, Luke's Skywalker, encouraged Luke’s mobility by
allowing him to walk directly up to activities and friends.
makezine.com/go/skywalker —GH
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