Have you ever thought about what it would be like to have a third inch? A recent study showed that 98% of participants were able to successfully manipulate objects using their third thumb within the first minute. This extraordinary device was created by a team of researchers from the University of Cambridge, led by Professor Tamar Makin, in collaboration with Dani Clode. The Third Thumb is a robotic thumb designed to expand the hand’s range of motion, improving gripping abilities and increasing weight-bearing capacity.
Innovation at the service of everyone
The Third Thumb it is not just a futuristic gadget, but a real tool that can make a difference, especially for disabled people. Thanks to this device, they can perform complex tasks with one hand, without the need for coordinate with other people. There professor Tamar Makin highlights how these technologies are transforming the concept of humanity, becoming increasingly integrated into our daily lives and our bodies.
It is essential to consider theinclusiveness from the earliest stages of research and development to ensure that everyone can benefit from these advances. Technologies like the Third Thumb open up new and exciting opportunities for society, but it is crucial that these innovations help all people equitably, especially marginalized communities who are often excluded from such developments.
A third thumb: testing the Third Thumb at the Royal Society
During the 2022 Royal Society summer science exhibition, 596 participants aged between three and 96 had the opportunity to try the Third Thumb. The test showed that almost all participants managed to use the device within the first minute. Two they were the proposed activities: collecting pegs from a board and moving them into a basket, and manipulating foam objects of different sizes and shapes. The results were surprising: 98% of the participants completed the tasks successfully.
Dani Clode, one of the creators of Third Thumbhas highlighted the importance of designing wearable technologies that are not just tools, but true extensions of the human body. Co-author Lucy Dowdall underlined the need to integrate these technologies with users’ motor and cognitive skills to ensure success.
The study, published May 29, 2024 in the journal Science Robotics, represents a significant step towards integrating robotic technology into our lives dailyoffering new opportunities and improving the quality of life for many people.
And what do you think? How could a third thumb change your daily life?
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