What bionic hands are on sale in the world

When it comes to bionic hands, many people's first reaction is still "science fiction" and "laboratory results", but in fact, bionic hands are no longer a concept product. Today, there are many bionic hands around the world that have truly entered the market and are worn and used by real users for a long time.

 

These bionic hands come from different countries and different technology systems. Some originated from scientific research institutions decades ago, and some were born from innovative enterprises in recent years. Some have always maintained independent development, and some have been acquired and integrated by large medical device groups during their growth. They differ in terms of control methods, degree of freedom, user experience, and price range, but what they have in common is that they have all left the laboratory and become auxiliary tools in real life.

This article does not discuss "who first invented the bionic hand", but focuses on a more realistic issue: What kind of bionic hands are on sale in the world right now? Where do they come from, and to what extent can they do so?

In the following content, we will sort out the mainstream bionic hands on sale at home and abroad from the three dimensions of research and development origin, functional characteristics and market price, and try to quote official public information to help readers establish a clear and comparable overall understanding.

 

i-Limb

Origin of R&D The i-Limb series was originally developed by David Gow's team at TouchBionics in the UK and is the world's first multi-joint myoelectric bionic hand to be successfully commercialized. The hand controls each finger using electrical signals to achieve a natural grip.

Changes in brand ownership TouchBionics once launched the i-Limb hand series independently, but it was acquired by Icelandic prosthetic company Össur in 2016. After that, all products were developed and sold under Össur.

Features

Using myoelectric control technology, the finger opening and closing can be controlled through the muscle electrical signals of the user's residual limb.

A variety of customizable grip modes support taking, grasping and other actions in daily life.

bebionic

Origin of R&D bebionic is a multi-joint myoelectric bionic hand developed by the British company RSL Steeper. The product debuted around 2010 and has become one of the industry classics with its 14 gripping modes.

Changes in brand ownership After 2017, German prosthetic giant Ottobock acquired the bebionic brand and continued to develop and update its product line.

Features

Each finger is driven by an independent motor, allowing for a natural and coordinated grip.

Provides 14 gripping modes, covering most daily actions (such as holding pens, opening doors, lifting objects), etc.

Advanced scale control enables fine-grained gripping tasks.

Hero Arm

Origin of research and development

Since its establishment in 2014, the British company Open Bionics has been independently developing the Hero Arm series of 3D printed bionic hands.

Features

Built-in sensors sense myoelectric signals for intuitive control.

Supports multiple grip modes, suitable for daily use.

The product is lightweight and supports shell replacement for personalized decoration.

Ability Hand

Origin of research and development

The American company Psyonic independently developed the Ability Hand, which is still sold by Psyonic.

Features

Multi-tactile feedback system uses fingertip sensors to feedback pressure information, allowing users to feel the feeling of contact with objects.

Offers up to 32 grip modes (19 presets available).

Waterproof and durable design, each finger can withstand impact.

The palm supports USB-C fast charging and can be used with smartphone apps.

TASKA Hand

Origin of research and development

It was independently developed by the New Zealand company TASKA Prosthetics and is still the company's main product.

Features

AdoptsAI adaptive gripping algorithm, excellent mechanical structure, and durability.

COVVI Nexus Hand

Origin of research and development

The British company COVVI independently launched the Nexus hand series, which is still operated and sold by COVVI.

Features

Designed with durability and multi-scene applicability in mind, it is a bionic hand that emphasizes robustness and versatility.

Kesheng Bionic Hand

Origin of R&D The Kesheng bionic hand originated in 1963 and was first developed by the bioelectrically controlled prosthetic research group of the Shanghai Institute of Physiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, pioneering myoelectrically controlled prosthetic technology in my country. In 1992, Kesheng Company was formally established to independently develop upper limb bionic hands. In 2011, it launched its first bionic hand product. In 2014, it added human sensory feedback function. In 2019, it developed the 8-degree-of-freedom smart bionic hand.

Features

Using myoelectric signal control, the movements are natural. It supports models with one to four degrees of freedom and can cover the residual limbs from the base of the palm to the scapula. Each joint can move cooperatively, making it easy for the user to operate. The high-degree-of-freedom version enables fine gripping and self-care operations in daily life. It has passed ISO9001, ISO13485 and CE certification and is clinically reliable.

BrainCo

Developer

BrainCo was founded in 2015. BrainCo is the first technology company in China to focus on the core technology of brain-computer interface and implement smart bionic hands. It has core patents and global market layout.

Functional features (Revo2 is BrainCo’s latest bionic dexterous hand product)

Weighing only 383 grams, the palm size is close to the real hand, it is very light and easy to wear for a long time.

Equipped with a multi-modal tactile sensor that can sense object hardness, texture and force direction, improving fine operation capabilities.

The gripping force is about 50N (about 5kg force), and it can carry heavy objects up to 20kg. It performs well in daily life and some light industrial tasks.

OHand

Developer

OYMotion (commonly displayed as OYMotion™ OHand™) is a domestic technology company founded in 2015. The companyhas independently developed intelligent bionic hand products since its inception.

Features

OHand uses non-invasive myoelectric nerve signal sensor array + AI pattern recognition algorithm to recognize the user's intention for hand movement control.

The mechanical structure is composed of 280+ precision parts, and 5 ultra-miniature linear motors drive the fingers to achieve bionic grasping movements.

27 gesture actions can be preset, and the grip, strength and action combination can be customized in the app.

It supports the simulation of natural hand movements such as passive wrist rotation and side-to-side palm movement, and has cross-size options (standard hand type/small hand type).

OHand mainly targets the daily interaction and fine operation needs of people with disabilities, and has clear application scenarios in the field of medical rehabilitation. Its control algorithm and myoelectric pattern recognition technology are important competitive advantages of the product.

Product fees (cost source network)  

From a global perspective, the development path of bionic hands is not single. Some brands rely on decades of accumulation in the prosthetic industry and continue to iterate on stability and reliability; others use cutting-edge technologies such as neuroscience and brain-computer interface to try to increase the upper limit of interaction between humans and devices.

In terms of price, bionic hands are still high-value medical devices: Imported high-end products are generally priced in the hundreds of thousands of yuan range, while domestic bionic hands are gradually bringing prices down to a more affordable range through local R&D and service systems. This change is giving more upper-limb disabled users a real right to choose.

It’s important to stress that there is no “one size fits all” answer to bionic hands. The amputation site, physical condition, usage requirements and financial ability will all affect the final choice. Understanding the origins, capability boundaries and true costs of different products is itself an important step in making rational decisions.

As technology continues to evolve, bionic hands are moving from "replacement tools" to "collaborative organs." It may not be perfect, but it is real enough and practical enough.

  The above content comes from the Internet, compiled and published by 51 Prosthetics Network