Video: Teenager's new i-LIMB prosthetic hand is super cool

We've seen the i-LIMB plenty in the past, but we have to say that seeing it in action -- newly installed on teenager Evan Reynolds -- is pretty impressive. The prosthetic is so sensitive that Reynolds can grip a small bottle of water, no problem. We assure you: it's pretty cool.

[who? @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:31PM]

It's like... the video is where the picture should be. Engadget is evolving.

[ridahgadgetguy @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:44PM]

yeah for people with a connection faster than 128kbps , and a 2 gig per month download limit , i think they should stick to the pics ;) :P

[fieldcar @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:32PM]

@ ridahgadgetguy: I think its fine, its a harmless piece of flash until you actually click it to let it start buffering.

[OneLove @ Jan 22nd 2009 3:08PM]

...but can he play crysis?

[BigD145 @ Jan 22nd 2009 3:45PM]

If only said video would actually run.

[fistpittingnork @ Jan 22nd 2009 3:56PM]

OneLove,

What you lack in taste you make up in humor.

[Robot @ Jan 23rd 2009 12:45PM]

At least OneLove didn't ask if he'd blend.

[Jared @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:33PM]

Cool Prosthetic. Wonder how much that bad boy costs...

And does the cover come off?

[Bellzebub @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:11PM]

Between 6 and 8k US. But who cares about price, when you are getting a bit of Scottish cybernetic technology?

Ode to a Robotic Hand?

I'm truly sorry man's dominion
Has broken Nature's social union,
An' justifies that ill opinion
Which makes thee startle...

[BJ is Gooder @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:55PM]

From the read link:
"...total cost including the hand itself and the fitting is about £30,000."

Now either I haven't been paying close enough attention to currency exchange rates (in which case I need to go to London ASAP), or Bellzebub just threw out a completely arbitrary dollar amount.

Where I live that's closer to $40,000...

[Bellzebub @ Jan 23rd 2009 3:32AM]

I remember, when I was a lad, that would have been 60K US, so stop your whining. Yeah, I pulled the wrong figure as it was for an older version without the neat cybernetic finger prowess.

[grobbio @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:35PM]

I want one. I would be super cool with three arms. Really impressive.

If they only made this gray, with all the electronics visible. It would be supercool. With this fake lattice-skin color it scares me.

[bakunoos @ Jan 24th 2009 11:44PM]

The apocalypse of knowledge comes about with ones own ignorance. Knowledge will let you take a dream and make it reality.Unfortunately, we have ignoramuses Rumpelstiltskin's who should have never woken up.
Dr. William C Anderson Ph.D
Senior research scientist
Nuclear Engineering

[patsy @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:37PM]

Yes, but can he pick his nose with it? That is the question.

[Das Boot @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:38PM]

Hopefully one day they'll have an i-limb for the hand only, not the entire arm. i was born with my right hand being significant smaller than my left hand so i would definately get this if it was worth it.

[bandigolo @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:39PM]

He's not only the iLimb spokesperson, he's also a client.

[Darnell @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:40PM]

We are approaching sci-fi territory!

[Kieran Coghlan @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:47PM]

Laura June,
Please tell me that your opening words, "We seen the i-Limb..." is just a typo and that you meant to write "We HAVE seen".

The use of the grammatically incorrect "I seen" as in, "I seen that guy before" is becoming way too common.

Cool video, though.

[Joshua Topolsky @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:22PM]

What do you think? Typo, or we don't understand basic grammar?

[Khalid Al-Amoudi @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:31PM]

well it does say "we've seen" which is correct...

or they've probably corrected "they're" (:P) typo...

[Jeremy K. @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:31PM]

I think it's a compsiracy.

[Will @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:44PM]

Seriously?!?! Nobody wants to hear your stupid rants on grammar. This is a technology blog.

[R @ Jan 22nd 2009 3:01PM]

For certain registers of speech and in certain dialects, this is actually 'correct', or rather, completely grammatical. On the other hand, how can you argue something is 'incorrect', if there's no body that governs English language standards? All of the rules that govern English language 'correctness' are based off of random and badly documented traditions; for instance, the Cockney lack of word-initial 'h' has affected some usages in North American English that some people consider to be more 'correct' than others; while the mere writing of these usages is in opposition to how people actually speak, or in opposition to the grammatical rule that does exist in their speech. Take for example, 'an historical'; this is perfectly fine if you're a Cockney speaker: "'e got an 'aircut", but sounds completely wrong if you do pronounce that initial 'h', since the rule for a/n usage is one of consonants and vowels.</digression>

[Chris Are @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:08PM]

Haha, you got burned by Josh. THE GUY KNOWS JIMMY FALLON! :-)

[jjigen @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:51AM]

File this under "stuff nobody cares about"

[jjigen @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:54AM]

referring to the post, btw. the prosthetic is pretty cool.

[Bushrod @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:48PM]

I've always wanted a third arm. hmmmmmmm.......

[Like_A_Glove @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:20PM]

I've always wanted two firemen....

[JWC @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:45PM]

I've got a third leg and I'll tell you it's pretty cool.

[41f0n50 @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:56PM]

@JCW
That made my day, it was genius, almost as genius as the iLimb itself. Speaking of, amazing technology!!

[Jack B @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:50PM]

I'd get my arm replaced with one of those cat antennas with a magnet on the end, that would be TOTALY FUCKING SICK.

[sugpants @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:24PM]

Wish granted!!
I'll be coming by tonight to take your right arm.

[Tommyranger @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:51PM]

I dont want a third arm...But I can see Viagra going out of business if they make it for other parts of the body.

[Mark @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:52PM]

This is pretty cool. If only they could do away with the battery pack, and still have it 100% functional.

[Caboose @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:55PM]

hmm interesting, why not place those plates in it that can generate power, that way it can sort of power itself my motion, at least keep it functional while you charge it at night

[James @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:07PM]

Power itself? On this blog we obey the laws of thermodynamics!

[Chris @ Jan 22nd 2009 6:01PM]

It would be really cool if they could somehow integrate the batteries into the arm. I wonder what type of batteries are being used? If the company were to use a lithium ion polymer, wouldn't they be able to have a custom shaped battery that could better follow the contours of the arm? Maybe a fuel cell battery, but I'm not that read up on the technology.

[Caboose @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:54PM]

I love Technology. thats really freaken cool. How does it work? Is it programed with responses based on motion or even its space in air relative to the body.. or is it just like an auto grabber. regardless, real step forward in functionality i think. !!


clears throat..

[Caboose @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:56PM]

never mind didn't listen to him say tense muscle i wonder how strong is it?

[absinthe party @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:04PM]

I was thinking the same thing. Can he crush a tree limb into wood pulp?

[bandigolo @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:11PM]

^ battery power. That's a "no."

[Wwhat @ Jan 22nd 2009 5:57PM]

if it's slow enough even a small battery can theoretically operate a powerful press, it just takes longer.

[person935 @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:56PM]

Oh my god, the description of the injury is one the sickest things I've heard...that must have hurt so much...

[dan @ Jan 22nd 2009 4:11PM]

That's the kind of hardcore shit we have to deal with every day in Britain.

[peter @ Jan 23rd 2009 3:31AM]

man i would be freaked out too if
instead of Lays i had to eat "Walkers"

[wrabbit @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:56PM]

Very very cool.

[nohbahdii @ Jan 22nd 2009 1:58PM]

This is from the first draft of the article

" '...Truth be told 90% of the time I'll probably use it give myself a stranger'. Said young Evan Reynolds"


Wow...the things you find on the cutting room floor!

[nohbahdii @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:02PM]

Sorry Laura, I couldn't resist. It was just too sweet.

[greatcaffeine @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:00PM]

Maybe I'm just a nerd, but based on his prosthetic, losing a hand wasn't an ENTIRELY bad thing! That's pretty badass, now just imagine where this technology will be in 10 years!

[protozoider @ Jan 22nd 2009 2:07PM]

I have one simple request to the world. STOP CALLING EVERYTHING "i"! JUST STOP! This is a cool thing, but the i totally eliminates any awesome it had. Seriously people, stop using i you are not apple.