The Third Thumb

An 8th Grader's Exploration in DIY Neuroprosthetics

Several months ago, a crowdfunded classroom got their hands on several of our neuroprosthetic kits - like The Claw and the Muscle SpikerShield Bundle. This allowed students in Nokomis Regional schools to begin experimenting with hands-on neuroscience experiments! One of the students, 8th grader Kaiden K., was interested in developing a prosthetic, but his project had a twist question: What if we had a third thumb?

The Third Thumb

Kaiden's project is twofold: First, it is a project on the history of prosthetics. From wooden hands to mechanical prosthetics, and now modern, low-cost DIY prosthetics, there have been a lot of remarkable developments along the way as we strive to create new opportunities for people to bring mobility and ability into their lives.

Using a 3D printer and the tools his teacher had crowdsourced on Donor's Choose, Kaiden was able to develop a neuroprosthetic which anyone can plug into and control with their brain!

By recording from their muscles, Kaiden is able to put other students at the science fair in control of the prosthetic hand.

The second part of the project is still underway: developing a neuroprosthetic which anyone can wear which augments typical human ability and mobility, by adding the third thumb! To put it fantastically: Kaiden is developing cybernetic human enhancements. Literally, 8th graders are contributing to helping us become cyborgs! Too cool.

In an example of parallel, historic discovery - Kaiden had the idea for an extra thumb and began his RnD... then just like many other great minds, discovered he wasn't the only one doing this work!

This idea has been explored by prosthetic designer Dani Clode - she gave a TEDx talk which is also a great watch!

See her TEDx talk here to learn more about the Third Thumb project.

We're excited to see Kaiden further refine and develop his project. Kaiden wants to investigate multiple degrees of freedom, perhaps 2-axis control, and see what he can develop. We'll be sure to update you as he continues experimenting!