Bionic hand touts can-crushing abilities
Joining the arm, eye, ear, and dolphin (saywha?), the latest bionic creation to come from the doors of the Tokyo Institute of Technology boasts some 33-pounds of crushing power, which could make the Power Glove look a bit weak in comparison. Touted as the "world's first electromechanical prosthetic hand with a grip strong enough to crush an empty beverage can," the creation reportedly weighs a hair over 300-grams and features about half the strength found in the average male hand, but it can extend and flex its fingers in around one second, making sure that the wearer is still a formidible opponent in thumb wars. Unlike similar iterations, however, this rendition utilizes a system of pulleyed cables that run through the fingers, and if all goes as planned, eventual wearers will be able to control the machine by flexing other muscles via "myoelectric control technology." Click on through for a video demonstration.[Via Pink Tentacle]
Filed under: Robots
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Paul @ Mar 23rd 2007 10:02AM
I cant be the only one that thought star wars when I saw that.
Apple Tv @ Mar 23rd 2007 10:16AM
Star Wars? My first thought was- can this safely provide a decent hand job? ;)
alex @ Mar 23rd 2007 10:21AM
correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this how Terminator got started (talking about T2).
aeo @ Mar 23rd 2007 11:20AM
Ah man I thought the tech was past crushing cans and onto smashing them against a robotic cranium.
Chuckles McGee @ Mar 23rd 2007 12:01PM
Sure, today it's crushing a can, but tomorrow, our robotic overlords will be crushing human skulls.
L3 @ Mar 23rd 2007 1:01PM
Huh?!? The awesome power to crush an aluminum can? Steve Austin is rolling in his bionic grave!!!
marcoemerson @ Mar 23rd 2007 2:54PM
They might be fooling you all, but they're not fooling me. I know Dr. Claw when I see him, and I've already got Gadget, Penny, and Brain on the case.
Andrew H. @ Mar 23rd 2007 5:07PM
omg cc lemon... i love that drink... oh... the hands pretty cool too
kevin rummelhart @ Mar 23rd 2007 7:42PM
Can it open the beer?...