New Bionic Hand Can Detach From User, Crawl Around and Do Missions on Its Own

A UK startup called Open Bionics has just unveiled the world's first wireless bionic arm, caleld Hero — and it's so advanced that its hand, even when fully detached, can amble about on its own like the Addams Family's Thing. 19-year-old influencer Tilly Lockey, a double-amputee who's been using Open Bionics' arms for the past nine years and has been a poster child of the company's efforts, recently showed off this incredibly sci-fi capability. "I can move it around even when it's not attached to the arm," Lockey said in an interview with Reuters. "It can just go on its […]

Apr 27, 2025 - 23:11

New Bionic Hand Can Detach From User, Crawl Around and Do Missions on Its Own

The world's first wireless bionic hand, built by Open Bionics, can be fully detached and operate on its own.

A UK startup called Open Bionics has just unveiled the world's first wireless bionic arm, called Hero — and it's so advanced that the hand can fully detach and amble about on its own, like the Addams Family's Thing.

19-year-old influencer Tilly Lockey, a double-amputee who's been using Open Bionics' arms for the past nine years and has been a poster child for the company's efforts, recently showed off this incredibly sci-fi capability after being one of the first to receive the new device.

"I can move it around even when it's not attached to the arm," Lockey said in an interview with Reuters. "It can just go on its own missions — which is kinda crazy."

Lockey lost both her hands to meningitis as a toddler. Effortlessly, she pulls off the still writhing bionic hand, then places it on her bed to send it inching towards her phone.

"The hand can crawl away like it's got a mind of its own," Lockey said.