Dean Kamen's "Luke" artificial arm gets demoed on video
By Donald Melanson 
posted February 5th 2008 3:53PM
posted February 5th 2008 3:53PM
It's still awaiting formal clinical trials, but Dean Kamen's so-called "Luke" artificial arm has already gone through its share of tests, which we can now thankfully catch a glimpse of courtesy of a new video from the folks at IEEE Spectrum Online. That same video also helpfully provides a few more details on the arm, including word that it can be controlled through a variety of means including foot pedals, nerves or muscles, and that it packs force feedback to give the wearer an indication of grip strength, among other suitably sci-fi-like things. Of course, none of this exactly does the arm justice, so be sure to check out the video at the read link below to see it in action for yourself.
[Thanks, Sarah]
[Thanks, Sarah]
Wait. Luke, as in, Luke Skywalker? When he got his hand cut off in episode V? Brilliant!
Uh, yeah, Luke as in Skywalkder. Here's the confusing bit: Luke lost his hand from just above the wrist...not his arm. Isn't this more like, say, a Vader arm than a "Luke" arm, seeing as Luke doesn't have a robotic arm? Just sayin'.
@Miguel,
You're right, "Vader arm" would be more accurate, but somehow I think calling it that might give people the wrong idea...
THIS + AN ARTIFICIAL HEART = ROBOCOP
(THIS TECHNOLOGY APPLIED TO THE WHOLE BODY)
This guy has to be real careful walking around at parties, otherwise he'll crush his wine glass.
wow, we've come a long way, hoepfully they can utilize this(along with other artificial limbs) within this generation for a non-ridiculous price.
on a lighter note, i would have loved to see him make a joke at the end of the video-
while he's showing how he can hold and drink from a cup, the arm throws the water in his face, pokes him in the eyes and picks him up by the hair right before the tape goes to a "technical difficulties" screen
That's the best thing I ever saw.
Hey its all Computer Graphics or remotely controlled!!
just kidding.
hrmmm,Great work, but I thought this was neuro controlled or used residual muscles to control the whole thing
instead of some foot pedal action arm.
True, its Gen1,Things can only improve from here.
Gen2 could be better if it were to be 100% controlled by residual muscle nerve feedback.
as well as has smoother more fluid movements.
As we humans arent born with stepper motors, the next evolution of this would be to find some commerically available material which operates like muscles..and no not those muscle valve thingy's either, i dont want to sound like im farting every time im picking up a cup.
You guys dont realize that the segway was a spin-off of a wheelchair design he made. A bunch of years before the segway was released Dean came out with a wheelchair that could balance on two wheels, climb stairs, and go on sand...
...I suggest you look it up
and I suspect part of him getting into this project is taking technology created for it and moving it to the commercial market