WATCH: Robotics researchers develop fully functional 3D arm
A unique marketing opportunity awaits businesses that would like sponsor the robotics team. The sponsor's company logo will be branded on the team's clothing, which will be seen in Europe as the event is broadcast through different media.
FULLY-operable prosthesis with the latest technology can be expensive, and while some can afford it, majority have to either take out loans, scrape funds together or rely on the charity of others to fund these necessary aids.
Fortunately, passion-fuelled researchers with the advancement of technology are working tirelessly to make prosthesis more affordable, durable and functional. The likes of Touch Prosthetics in its collaborative efforts with UKZN (Stopforth Mechatronics, Robotics and Research Lab), Nelson Mandela University (Advanced Mechatronics Technology Centre), BunnyCorp and Rapid 3D are working to bring this idea to life.
“We are developing a low cost, advanced prosthetic hand device, that can be affordable for people needing it in South Africa and the rest of Africa,” said lead researcher, Professor Riaan Stopforth, who explained that the development of a prosthetic hand is priority as there is a larger demand for such devices with amputees.
Stopforth said their aim with the arm they are currently developing was to move away from the typical old type of prosthetic device available, which is a hook-like system and usher in the new system that appears more like a human hand, and has more functions and feedback control system. “We are able to sense signals with EMG electrodes from the muscles in the arm, that controls the robotic hand open and close as needed. The hand, which is 3D printed, allows us to have sensors inside of it, allowing us to identify how tight we are gripping an object. The fingers are moved by actuators and motors, and the overall system is programmed to respond as needed,” he said.
You might have noticed that hand only has three fingers instead of the regular five biological digits. “After consultations with amputees who tested the different hands for us, they indicated that they prefer functionality than appearance. So, we consulted with BunnyCorp, and obtained this design with the three fingers. This design allows for the different grips and further functionality to happen.”
The first design was developed in 2013 and a unique opportunity awaits the researchers in Switzerland in the new year at the 2020 Cybathlon Prosthetic Olympics for amputees.
The team has already registered and paid to participate in the event, where they won’t just represent South Africa and Africa for the hand prosthetic section, but the Southern Hemisphere too.
A unique marketing opportunity awaits businesses that would like sponsor the robotics team. The sponsor’s company logo will be branded on the team’s clothing, which will be seen in Europe as the event is broadcast through different media.
“Even though we are hoping to have a company that can continue with the supporting the research and making it available to the world for this specific event, we are hoping to find a company that can sponsor us to attend the Cybathlon. We are not wanting specifically money, but for the company to do the travel arrangements even through their contact where they might get better prices,” said Stopforth.
“The Cybathlon event will allow us to test our prosthetic device with other commercial products around the world, with us representing the country, we want to make the country proud, and hopefully be able to make a difference. We can truly be proud to be South African,” he said.
If you or your company would like to sponsor the team while marketing your brand, call email Professor Riaan Stopforth at stopforth@ukzn.ac.za or call him on 072-255-3330.
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