Japanese prosthetics company Exiii has developed a smartphone-connected, EMG-controlled prosthetic arm called the handiii COYOTE. Beyond mobile connectivity, it’s the low cost of manufacturing that makes this an impressive product. Thanks to the use of 3D printing, and relying on smartphone’s processing power and sensors – the manufacturing cost was slashed to below $300. In addition, the number of motors needed was reduced to one per finger rather than one per joint.

The handiii transmits EMG sensor information using a wireless communication link embedded under the prosthesis. The software on a smartphone takes it from here, interpreting these signals to control the arm.

The technology is based on the work by Mr. Noritaka Kawashima of the National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, and Mr. Masahiro Yoshikawa of Nara Institute of Science and Technology in Japan, for their motorized prosthetic hand called the Finch.

The handii supports a number of programmable grips such as a pinch grip, five fingered grasps and more, via a small button on the elbow. Though it has been developed as a prototype in late 2013, the latest version of the arm has a much sleeker finish and wireless functionality. That being said, we’re not surprised to learn that the Exiii team has won a number of prestigious design awards. Going forward, they hope to see a wide range of customizable, 3D printable textured skins made for their device.

[Via: TechCrunch, MedGadget]