AI boosts control of bionic prosthetic hands
Researchers at the University of Utah report in Nature Communications that an AI ‘shared control’ system using muscle signals and sensors helped four upper‑limb amputees reliably grasp and simulate sipping from a cup with a bionic hand, a task they otherwise crushed or dropped. The AI interprets user intention from tiny muscle twitches and automates grip force and movement, aiming to reduce cognitive load and make prosthetic use feel more natural.
📌 Key Facts
- Peer‑reviewed results published in Nature Communications on Dec. 12, 2025
- Study involved 4 participants missing a hand testing an AI‑assisted bionic hand
- With AI assistance, users reliably grasped a cup; without it, they crushed or dropped it every time
📊 Relevant Data
Black Americans are up to four times more likely to experience limb loss than White Americans.
Amputation Statistics in the US (2025) — Is Brave
Non-Hispanic Black adults have a diabetes prevalence rate of 12.1%, compared to 6.9% for non-Hispanic White adults.
Diabetes in America: Prevalence, Statistics, and Economic Impact — American Diabetes Association
In Pennsylvania, Black patients accounted for 26% of major amputations from 2010 to 2023, while representing only 12% of the state's population.
Long-term trends in major amputations for the state of Pennsylvania — Journal of Vascular Surgery
82% of individuals with partial hand amputations are male, with a majority between 16-60 years of age, and a significant number of injuries being work-related.
Partial Hand Amputations: Understanding Incidence, Demographics, and Occupational Factors — American Journal of Occupational Therapy
Medical statistics show that rural adults and members of certain racial and ethnic groups with vascular disease get major leg amputations far more often than urban residents and White patients.
UMD-led Study: Unconscious Bias Contributes to Disproportionate Amputations for People from Minority Populations — Maryland Today
Over 5.6 million Americans live with limb loss or limb difference.
Limb Loss Statistics that May Surprise You — Access Prosthetics