This article was taken from the September 2011 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.

The most advanced artificial arms and legs are gleaming machines crafted from aircraft-grade aluminium, carbon fibre and tiny computers. "Powerful microprocessors mean prostheses can replicate biological functions far better, so we can restore a lot of natural mobility," says Ian Stevens, CEO of Touch Bionics, based in Livingston, Scotland. Who says you need $6 million?

View the gallery to see examples of prostheses.