The world of bionics and prosthetics is evolving at lightning speed. What once seemed like science fiction is now becoming a reality. Fully articulated, customized appendages are the new normal, and many can be 3D printed at home. It’s likely that one day a prosthetic arm may be indistinguishable from an arm of flesh and bone. But why stop there? What if we could use human-machine integration to not only make people’s lives more normal but also advance our own evolution? Angel Giuffria, an actress with an artificial arm, famously said "What if I don't want a hand? What if I want a tentacle?" That might soon be possible. In a recent video, The Guardian profiles three amputees and their personal journeys to design and create their own prosthetics and their futures.
Alexis Gajewski has over 15 years of experience in the maintenance, reliability, operations, and manufacturing space. She joined Plant Services in 2008 and works to bring readers the news, insight, and information they need to make the right decisions for their plants. Alexis also authors “The Lighter Side of Manufacturing,” a blog that highlights the fun and innovative advances in the industrial sector.