High-technology is used extensively in military applications -- we all know that. But it is also being used to improve the lives of veterans.
An example of this effort was shared by Dean Kamen, inventor and founder of DEKA Research and Development Corp., at a recent industry conference.
Kamen's company, DEKA, was asked by DARPA to develop a better prosthetic arm. In spite of the advancements made in robotics and rehabilitative technologies, prosthetic arms are largely non-functional and cosmetic, and those that are functional still use a hook as the primary grasping tool. Kamen wanted to develop a prosthetic that not only looked like an arm, but rotated, bent, and had the tactile capability of picking up a grape without breaking the skin. If you've ever seen any of the The Terminator movies, you've seen such an arm.
Men and women return from combat every day missing their limbs. Kamen and DEKA operated under the belief that it is not enough to replace arms and legs with a device that doesn't restore the kind of functionality soldiers had before being harmed in battle. The DEKA arm is incredible. It looks like a Terminator arm; it can be strapped on by a user and operated with very little training. It bends and flexes and has fingers that can pick up a dime. Kamen shared some video of a veteran using the arm for the first time. It is the most amazing thing I have seen outside of a science fiction movie.
Most importantly, the arm was developed first and foremost with the user in mind. Kamen's measurement of success: Using the arm, a combat veteran was able to feed himself for the first time in 12 years.
I'm not sure how these prosthetics are being funded or even if they are available. DEKA ran in to some regulatory issues with the FDA, but that's a story for another time. It's the effort that is inspiring: enabling individuals to do the things that we all take for granted (dressing ourselves, feeding ourselves, getting a drinking glass off of a shelf).
Giving back to people what they lost in service to our country should be the very least we can do. That's not easily accomplished, and I understand many of the reasons why. But as long as we continue to work toward that goal, we are honoring our veterans, in a small way, through innovation and invention. Let us know your thoughts on the message boards.
I think affordability is the most crucial factor. If there was a large supply available, I do not know if the disabled veterans would even be able to afford them. With the status of health insurance in this country, it might even be a longshot.
I felt the same way. At times when I see the injured veteran on TV, it makes one to be thoughtful of the great sacrifice they have made. It is unbelievable!
Hats off to DEKA technology. It is great indeed as they helped our soldiers, who lost so much for our country, to be able to have artificial limbs which will be helping them to do their daily chores and bring life back to reality a little bit more. I will say that the DEKA technology has done a big deal for our country by helping our veterans in this way.
Besides artificial limbs, I think the electronics industry has a lot to give to the veterans in terms of innovation. Domestic robots is one popular category of robots which are designed to assist people in their everyday lives at home. This ranges from cleaning and washing to cooking and even reading out the newspaper. These robots can be of real help to disabled veterans.
@Tvotapka, These technology products you pointed out and which Barbara also noted are only a few of the innovations available to veterans. There are many more devices and other technology developments, including drugs and advances in medical care, that veterans and others are using nowadays. As Barbara noted, the least we can do is ensure these are available at affordable costs to people we involve in wars.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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