The BeBionic3 Prosthetic Hand

Welcome to the 21st century where the phones are smart, the computers are tiny, and the limbs are bionic. RSL Steeper’s new bebionic3 hand is the newest incarnation of the company’s prosthetic. Capable of holding up to 99 lbs and sensitive enough to write, the hand is controlled through sensors in the user’s skin. The hand is able to form 14 different grips, greatly improving upon the old hook and pincer models of yesteryear.

The world of artificial limbs is quickly catching up to realm science fiction. The bebionic3 from RSL Steeper is an incredibly advanced piece of technology that uses a wireless chip and sensors from the wearer’s skin to move an aluminum hand. Able to form itself into multiple grips, it can hold up to 99 lbs and yet is also able to manipulate a pen or operate a mouse.

“Having a bebionic hand is like being human again, psychologically I wouldn’t be without it,” says Nigel Ackland, a former metals smelter who was outfitted with the bebionic3′s predecessor. I can hold the phone, shake hands and wash my left hand normally, which I haven’t been able to for five years! I’m back to being a two finger typist and can even do a very interesting hand signal which I call the 15th function, not particularly functional perhaps, but the psychological benefit is immense! Overall, the bebionic hand has had a great impact on my life, not only does it look more like a human hand but it also functions more like a human hand.”

The bebionic3 costs between $25,000-35,000 depending on accompanying software. Dare we say it costs an arm and a leg?