SEGWAY INVENTOR'S STAR WARS-STYLE ROBOT ARM GETS APPROVED

Dean Kamen's name conjures up images of the Segway and its self-balancing two-wheel design. Kamen hasn't been sitting around twiddling his thumbs since that famous invention came out. He and his team at Deka Research have been cranking away on new projects, one of which just got the FDA's thumbs-up to go to market.
The Deka Arm System is an impressive feat combining design, engineering, and technology. It uses electromyogram (EMG) electrodes to read signals sent by muscles near the attachment point of the robotic arm. It also uses wireless sensors mounted on the wearer's feet. Those signals are translated into complex movements that allow for much greater control than standard prosthetics.
The Deka arm runs on battery power and weighs about the same as a real arm. It has been given the affectionate nickname "Luke," in reference to Luke Skywalker's prosthetic hand in "Star Wars." If you recall, his replacement hand was every bit as capable as his original one.