Iron Man (actor Robert Downey Jr.) teamed up with bionics expert and Fulbright scholar Albert Manero to help give 7-year old Alex, who was born with a partially developed right arm, a very cool 3D-printed bionic limb. Manero works with the volunteer group Limbitless Solutions, an organization that donates low-cost 3D-printed limbs to children around the world. According to Microsoft’s The Collective Project, the arm cost a mere $350 to make. Similar prosthetic parts can cost $40,000.
found at the ‘thinking hands’ exhibition in ventura lambrate at milan design week 2011, a canine prosthetic.
this device is great improvement over other dog wheelchairs or carts because of its increased mobility for the dog. a huge plus is an elastic knee joint that’s set backwards allowing dogs to access stairs and lay down and sit up on their own. the device is still in a prototype stage. see other examples at salone internazionale del mobiledesigner: nir shalom
physically disabled columbian nelson cardona fulfilled a dream to climb Everest with the help of prosthetic legs.
He also wants to swim the English Channel and he might be able to do it with Neptune, a prosthetic flipper.
above: slider adjusts flexibility to match swimmers strength. the fin could also rotate 90 degrees to simulate breaststroke movement.
above: c-legs are used by a double-amputee who also swims 2.500m a couple of times a week and is very interested in the neptune concept being developed.
above: inspiring everyone including designers, alexander mcqueen among others, aimee is an athlete, actor and activist talks about her prosthetic legs — she’s got a dozen amazing pairs — and the superpowers they grant her: speed, beauty, an extra 6 inches of height.
above: aimee at mit h2o symposium
above: neptune concept lures me deeper and deeper. i think this is about a skateboarder prosthesus. but, maybe there is or will be…
designer: richard stark
Resources:
ted
aimee / alexander mcqueen
alexander mcqueen / aimee
wired: 3d printing and prosthetics
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about ron kovach
