BBC Inside Science Robotic Thumbs, Mending Bones with Magnets, and the State of Science this Summer
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Aug 4, 2022 AI Snips
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Robotic Thumb Experience
- Gaia Vince tries a 3D-printed extra robotic thumb controlled by foot pressure sensors.
- The thumb allows her to grasp objects and collaborate with other fingers, showcasing the potential of augmentation.
Augmenting Human Capability
- Robotic body parts can augment human capabilities beyond our physical limitations.
- These augmentations could improve tasks like surgery or factory work by allowing individuals to do more simultaneously.
Brain Adaptability
- When using a robotic extra thumb, the brain adapts its representation of the toes used for control.
- The brain starts to integrate the robotic thumb as part of the hand, and the toes become part of the control system.