The Future of Prosthetics: Innovations and Emerging Technologies

Imagine having a 3D printed and AI enhanced arm, weighing almost nothing and equipped with full sensory function that acts just like a normal arm, only stronger. This is the future of prosthetics. 

That’s a lot to cover though, let’s break it down into simpler parts, the most interesting is probably AI, that’s where we will start. AI, Artificial Intelligence, it’s strong suit is adapting through trial and error. For prosthetics that means after every action the AI will compare the expected result with the actual result and adjust its future output accordingly. This could be anything, from grip strength to the precise angle of your elbow, after some time the AI will understand what signal corresponds to what certain action and it will be able to perform it even better than a human could. 

Next up is 3D printing, an exciting new technology that has seen use in so many diverse fields, even in places where you would never think to use it. From houses to keychains 3d printing is showing promise as a new method for building anything. Now how does this help with prosthetics, how is it any better than a traditional arm? 3D printing actually allows for more unique, complex, and personalized designs. These all in turn give the end result of having a stronger and more lightweight prosthetic, beneficial to all those who wear it. In addition it also speeds up the process of making prosthetics as other methods contain longer fabrication processes.

The third and final key component of new prosthetic technology is sensory detail, while today’s prosthetics do not perfectly replicate what a normal arm would feel scientists are working to get as close to it as possible. Some newer technology even allows for amputees to feel things such as heat or cold through their prosthetics, and as technology advances the number of sensations available will only continue to increase.

Who knows, maybe someday prosthetics will become superior to normal human limbs and switching over would be a decision that even uninjured people would take.