A Prosthetic That Adds Instead of Replaces
Technology is doing true wonders in the development of prosthetics. What was science fiction a couple of decades ago can now improve the quality of life for many patients around the globe. However, the Third Thumb from student Dani Clode seeks to demonstrate the potential for optimization in a prosthetic when used by someone with their natural abilities intact. Let's think about it for a moment: What could we do with an additional thumb?
Some animals possess an extraordinary capacity to control their legs, paws, claws, tail, nose, and tongue, but humans have managed to achieve very strong advantages through their hands, even though we are not the only five-fingered species. Losing fingers and hands in accidents or due to illness is a true tragedy, and both medicine and technology experts do everything possible to restore that loss. Now, there is a curious detail: The word 'prosthesis' comes from the Greek 'prósthesis', meaning 'addition', and perhaps that is a better description for what we have here today: the Third Thumb project.
How the Third Thumb Works
Third Thumb is a motorized artificial thumb designed by student Dani Clode from the Royal College of Art. The control system, based on pressure sensors, batteries, and a Bluetooth link, is installed on the user's feet. Depending on the command received, the Third Thumb moves or closes as an opposite to the natural thumb. With enough training, the user can add this extra thumb to typical actions, say using a tablet, squeezing lemons, and even playing an instrument. The Third Thumb was printed using NinjaFlex filament, which is known for its flexibility.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/WH-rTc1-jhIRethinking the Prosthetic
Clode's goal is to challenge the conventional idea of a prosthetic, which automatically associates it with disabled people. Instead of being seen as a tool to replace a lost limb or compensate for a deficit, Clode proposes to install the debate of a prosthetic optimizing the human being. The reaction of users to the new thumb is very interesting, but personally I am convinced that its control platform needs to explore other options besides the feet. Why not "mirror" the natural thumb?
