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Robotic Prosthetics Vs. Real Limbs

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We are all so used to using our limbs, most of us wouldn’t know what to do without them. However, some people, because of accidents or sickness, have lost theirs. Through the use of prosthetics, they can have some of that use back, though it still can’t compare to a real limb. But, recent advancements in robotic prosthetics and a steady increase in capabilities show that prosthetics may eventually be replaced with robotics, and may become just as good as or better than real limbs.
While robotic prosthetics are a recent development, prosthetics have been around for a long time. In the Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, It gives a short history of prosthetics. They were first carved from wood, more than two-thousand years ago, because it …show more content…

Though most of the technology is still in development and testing, robotic prosthetics can move with a thought from the user, feel, and do anything we would be able to do with or own limbs. They may even be stronger than our limbs! Dustin J. Tyer from IEEE Spectrum: Technology, Engineering, and Science News, interviewed an amputee named Igor Spetic in his article “Creating a Prosthetic Hand That Can Feel”. He explains that Spetic lost his hand in an accident, and through the use of an experimental robotic hand, he can not only pick things up again, but feel them. He explains an experiment where Spetic first tried to pull a cherry off it’s stem with a robotic hand, and ended up crushing it. He then tried it again with a hand that allowed him to feel, and he did it perfectly. This shows just how important our senses are in doing even simple tasks, and shows that robotics can not only make up for lost limbs, but make up for our senses as well, even if these prosthetics aren’t quite ready for …show more content…

Prosthetics require pre-programed movements and take practice to be able to use right, although connecting prosthetics right into our nervous systems could fix this problem(Atzori, Manfredo). There are also only a few areas on prosthetic limbs right now that can feel. Scientists have been experimenting with synthetic skin that can feel temperature, to improve senses, but this hasn’t been used on limbs yet. Robotic prosthetics are nowhere near perfect, but advancements like these show progress toward making this the future of prosthetic limbs.
Robotic prosthetics are in use now, although they aren’t nearly as advanced as some of the ones just mentioned. Some amputees have them, and they are able to perform basic tasks like walking and picking things up. However, movements are still limited and the lack of senses prevents the kind of precision our own limbs provide. They are also very expensive so most people don’t have access to them. An average robotic leg is around one-hundred thousand dollars, and may not even be very versatile. Many don’t allow much movement, and often are not waterproof. They are a good start, but have much to

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