Prosthetic arm for toddlers developed at University of Lincoln

Engineers at the University of Lincoln have developed a prototype for a 3D-printed, sensor-operated prosthetic arm designed for toddlers.

The device, aimed at children under two-years-old, uses an armband fitted with sensors to detect electrical signals naturally conducted by muscles – enabling a toddler to grip and pick up objects like they would with a natural arm.

Dr Khaled Goher, senior lecturer in the School of Engineering at the University of Lincoln and the lead engineer on the project, said: “Many traditional active prosthetics are unsuitable for toddlers as they are very time consuming to construct and heavy. Our proposed system would utilise a seven-channel paediatric armband with motion sensors allowing infants to benefit from and become familiar with active prosthetics, with evidence showing that the earlier the exposure, the more likely for the prosthetics to be accepted and used throughout life. 

“So far, the device has been tested for grasp force and effectiveness using a range of everyday objects including toys, bottles and building blocks but the next stage of the project is to test the prototype design on toddlers.”