Working with an amazing team from Wellington, New Zealand, Dr Hartnell is involved with the latest robotic prosthetic hand for upper limb amputees. Upper limb amputees are facing constant challenges daily. The lower limb prosthesis seems to be far easier to get reliable results with than the upper limb. The main reason for that is the use of the fingers and the thumb. The thumb is by far the trickiest joint and digit to get right.

The hand that we are working on is water proof and is able to drive a car. With this limb you are able to drink a glass of wine and cut wood. Imagine being able to return to all the normal activities and even considering toasting at a wedding or shaking someone’s hand. At this point in time the prosthesis on the market cannot do that. This latest prosthesis is going to be able to do all of that. The things we take for granted will soon be available for all upper limb amputees.