European scientists presented the prototype of an intelligent robotic prosthesis. The presented mechanical hand reproduces all of the movements of a natural hand, besides bringing the environmental sensations and the sense of the touch. The project, that it gathers researchers of universities and companies, plans to assist the amputated people’s expectations, that want to receive an artificial implant that allows reconquering them most of the functionalities of the lost member.

The project SmartHand makes part of the initiative CyberHand.org, destined to the research of cybernetic members. The initiative is accommodated and managed by the ARTS Advanced Robotics Technology Laboratory and System of Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, university of the Italian city of Pisa. Besides SmartHand, that researchers of six European countries plus Israel, Cyberhand.org accommodates other five projects.

The Dr. Göran Lundborg, member of the team and specialists in movements of the hand, affirms that the neurology already has the “map” of the human brain, showing all the nerves connections which are stimulate by the brain. Using those information, the scientists put sensor in the robotics hand that allow to activate most of the cerebral areas, imitating the operation of a real hand accurately

According to the scientists, the new robotics hand possesses 4 electric motors and 40 sensors just in its sensorial part. When pressed against an object, the sensor sends the signs captured for the nerves, activating the route until the brain. This allows the patient to feel the object as if he or she hasn’t lost the amputated hand.

Via: Euronews.