The Third Thumb

Blog Credit: Trupti Thakur

Image Courtesy: Google

The Third Thumb

Scientists at Cambridge University were the first to show that a robotic “third thumb” can help people be more efficient and productive. The prosthetic, which is made to be simple to handle and use, adds a thumb to the hand.

The Third Thumb is a 3D-printed thumb extension for your hand, controlled by your toes. The project explores the relationship between our bodies and augmented and prosthetic technology. It is a part tool, part experience, and part research; a catalyst and model by which we can better understand human response to artificial extensions. The Third Thumb instigates a necessary conversation about the definition of ‘ability’. The origin of the word ‘prosthesis’ meant ‘to add, put onto; so not to fix or replace, but to extend. The project is inspired by this word origin, exploring human augmentation and aiming to reframe prosthetics as extensions of the body.

The Third Thumb is currently being developed and utilized for neuroscientific research in collaboration with The Plasticity Lab at University College London & Cambridge University. By investigating how our brains can adapt to augmentation, we can explore the boundaries of neuroplasticity, seeing what resources our brain use to control a body part that has never been there before, and ultimately investigating how it can be hamessed to improve usability and control of future prosthetic and augmentative devices.

Impact on Human Capabilities

The addition of this third thumb is changing the way people do things, especially those that need fine motor skills. This new idea builds on what humans can naturally do, making them more productive in a wide range of situations, from simple tasks like digging holes to complicated surgeries. The speed and ease with which people can move things around greatly improves both workplace productivity and everyday usability.

Technological Features

The prosthetic thumb can be moved and controlled, which makes it more useful for a wide range of chores and user needs. Six hundred people tried it out at a show in 2022, and 98% of them were able to move things around successfully in the first minute. Even though it was very adaptable, only four of the participants said they had small fit problems.

Societal Impact and Equity

Professor Tamar Makin from the Medical Research Council’s Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit talked about the third thumb’s possible benefits for society, especially for groups that are left out of technology progress. The technology not only seems like it will level the playing field, but it also creates new ways for everyone to be involved in creation.

 

 

 

Blog By: Trupti Thakur