"enabling individuals to do the things that we all take for granted (dressing ourselves, feeding ourselves, getting a drinking glass off of a shelf)"
I checked the DEKA site and the picture it is really impressive as you mentioned. During my trips through Europe I have seen a lot of people that missing and an arm or a leg. To make those people with this kind of disabilities to regain their losses will be for them the biggest gift.
This really is wonderful idea. More defence contractors should carry out similar research activities. I would like to read more success stories. How can common person can get involved?
I am just so happy to read this article. I think we need to take part in such innovations where we will be helping our soldiers and many kids who are born with some abnormalities.
This initiative should be taken up by many companies as CSR and help many people who need such kind of help.
These arms will be a great relief for the veterans as they can lead a normal life.
It is absolutely an incredible step forward, as preliminary feeling I really aim the innovation won't remain as an experiment for a restricted number of people. I am convinced DARPA should provide a vey deep educational program for specialized doctors involved in taking care of people from Army, unfortunately, faced similar events. Has anyone hear about similar program?
Another great development that incorporated electronics is the C-Leg. From what I understand it is a microprocessor-based limb that restores the user's tactile interaction w/ the ground surface they're contacting while walking or running.
Barbara, most of the advance technology developments are happening in Military and Defence labs. I think now a day they are sharing such technologies in a private-public partnership manner for the civilian advancement. For example, the light weight metals developed for military purpose are now a day’s using to make artificial limbs, food and dressing habits of military peoples in high altitude areas are also sharing with the civilians in similar areas.
Yes, these technologies also help car accident and earthquake victims. I know that DARPA has grants for many research programs and I am wondering if there are any tax incentives for comapnies producing these type of equipment.
I think it is great to start seeing these types of prosthetics in real life applications and not just in the movies. I think the soldiers who protect our country deserve the best. The biggest hurdle we are going to see is cost. As great as these devices are, there are too many insurance companies not willing to pay for them, and most advanced prosthetics are too expensive for the individuals to buy on their own.
The truth is prosthetics are not new, but like Barbara rightly said "its the effort that is inspiring"
This is not just research for the fun of it, or for the gain of it, but for the impact it would make. Reminds me of one of last year's CNN heros who was building custom homes for US veterans, specially designed to meet each one's unique disability.
I attended the ECIA Conference in Chicago 2 weeks ago and saw the Dean Kamen presentation that Barbara is referencing. Mr Kamen spoke for 90 miniutes about a myriad of topics. The prosthetic limbs were the most amazing things I had ever personally seen and when his presentation was done, 300 Industry Execs stood in unison and cheered loud and long.Every returning veteran who needs a prosthetic should receive these immediately upon return from combat.
Mr Kamen said that these prosthetics cost $250,000 each and the US Government was "allowing" $100,000http://www.dekaresearch.com/deka_arm.shtml and that right now there were 34 combat veterans in need of replacement limbs but that he was building them anyway.
That we, as a society can raise $1Billion to build a sports arena but cant "scrape" together $5mil to replace limbs for combat vets to help them live their lives with some sense of normalcy is disgraceful.
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.
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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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