Finger-worn, camera-toting mouse ring turns desktops into touchpads

Tired of running out of mousing room on your meagre li’l mousepad? If so, you might like the Padrone Primera mouse. It’s worn like a ring, and is claimed to turn the entire top of your desk into a giant touchpad.Continue ReadingCategory: Wearables, Con… Continue reading Finger-worn, camera-toting mouse ring turns desktops into touchpads

Learning to use a handy Third Thumb may be easier than you think

Having an extra thumb on one hand may massively boost your manual dexterity, but wouldn’t it be hard to learn to use? Not according to a new study, which found that the majority of a wide variety of people got the hang of the thing in just one minute.C… Continue reading Learning to use a handy Third Thumb may be easier than you think

Artus exoskeleton keeps users’ fingers from doing what they shouldn’t

Most exoskeletons are big, expensive, wearable devices designed to reduce the load on body parts such as the shoulders, arms or back. The Artus is different, in that it’s made to protect the fingers … and it costs less than US$110.Continue ReadingCateg… Continue reading Artus exoskeleton keeps users’ fingers from doing what they shouldn’t

Breakthrough could see robots with ‘fingertips’ as sensitive as humans

Researchers have overcome a major challenge in biomimetic robotics by developing a sensor that, assisted by AI, can slide over braille text, accurately reading it at twice human speed. The tech could be incorporated into robot hands and prosthetics, pr… Continue reading Breakthrough could see robots with ‘fingertips’ as sensitive as humans

Inexpensive student-designed prosthesis replaces amputees’ missing fingers

Prostheses that replace lost fingers are typically complex, expensive devices, the cost of which often isn’t covered by medical insurance. The student-designed Lunet, on the other hand (no pun intended) is simple and can be made from open-source plans…. Continue reading Inexpensive student-designed prosthesis replaces amputees’ missing fingers

Custom 3D-printed joints may restore full movement to disabled fingers

We hear a lot about artificial hips and knees, but finger joints? They do exist, but their fit and functionality is limited. Germany’s Fraunhofer research group aims to change that, with artificial finger joints that are custom 3D-printed for each pati… Continue reading Custom 3D-printed joints may restore full movement to disabled fingers

Robotic microfingers allow scientists to get a feel for tiny objects

If you were trying to gauge the reaction force of an insect’s leg, you couldn’t just push it with your finger – the size difference between the two would be too great to do so with enough sensitivity. A set of hand-controlled soft robotic microfingers,… Continue reading Robotic microfingers allow scientists to get a feel for tiny objects

Scientists cover robotic finger with living skin made from human cells

We’ve been hearing a lot about synthetic skins designed for robotic hands, which would give the devices more human-like qualities. Well, scientists in Japan have gone a step further, by covering a robotic finger in a self-healing skin made from live hu… Continue reading Scientists cover robotic finger with living skin made from human cells

“Smart” surgical gloves track medical students’ hand movements

It goes without saying that surgeons require a very delicate, precise touch. A new set of surgical training gloves were designed with that fact in mind, as they monitor their wearer’s hand movements, and provide feedback on their technique.Continue Rea… Continue reading “Smart” surgical gloves track medical students’ hand movements