Little more than a year ago, Richard Van As and Ivan Owen embarked on a journey that would evolve to help the lives of a growing number of people. Robohand has provided people with an affordable, customizable, 3D-printed alternative to the costly prosthetic fingers and hands currently offered by medical manufacturers. Richard’s endeavour has evolved, first releasing the Robobeast 3D printer, a low cost RepRap. And now, together with his collaborators, they have released the first prototype for the Roboleg.
According to Andrea Stevenson Won, of Biomodal, one reason we haven’t seen a lot of 3D printed lower extremity prosthesis is that they probably can’t bear the weight of a person. Van As and his team have made new ground, yet again. Unlike the 3D printed arm, hand, and finger prosthesis previously tackled by Robohand, the new leg looks as though it is meant to be capable of supporting weight by combining plastic parts with metal rods. People have been very satisfied with their 3D printed arms, which can cost less than $50. If the design of the Roboleg can bring the same satisfaction and price tag, it could be a real game changer as a lower extremity prosthetic can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000, according to Disabled World.
