The prototype prosthetic hand can be manufactured in less than two days using a 3D-printer Open Bionics

A 3D-printed robotic hand that costs just £1,000 to produce has won the 2015 James Dyson Award in the UK.

Open Bionics, a prototype project developed by 25-year-old robotics graduate Joel Gibbard, can be produced in 40 hours and could go on sale as soon as next year. As winner of the 2015 James Dyson Award Gibbard will receive £2,000, which he will use to speed up his prototyping process.


Current advanced prosthetics can cost from £3,000 to £60,000 and only last three to five years, but Gibbard's model is entirely 3D-printed and is assembled from just four manufactured parts.

Joel Gibbard, right, and his Open Bionics prototype Open Bionics

Read next Ebola is back: WHO confirms outbreak in DR Congo following three deaths Ebola is back: WHO confirms outbreak in DR Congo following three deaths

The disruptive technology could also dramatically cut the wait time for custom-fit prosthetics. Amputees can currently wait weeks or even months for a prosthesis, but the Open Bionics prototype can be measured, manufactured and custom-fitted in under a week.

The design of the hand is bio-mimetic, using soft robotics to closely replicate bones, ligaments and skin that make up a human hand. This helps keeps the weight of the prosthesis down while also making it more stable.

In order to see this embed, you must give consent to Social Media cookies. Open my cookie preferences.


Gibbard plans to make the files for the hand open source, allowing anyone to benefit from the technology. "This is about driving a big change and democratising technology," he explained in his submission for the award.

The low-cost hand is capable of individual finger movement, using EMG sensors stuck to the amputee's skin to carry out complex tasks. As well as opening and closing fingers the hand can also perform a fine pinch grip. Having won the UK prize Gibbard is also now put forward for the international award, with £30,000 up for grabs.

James Dyson praised the Open Bionics project for initiating a "step-change" in the development of robotics limbs. "Embracing a streamlined approach to manufacturing allows Joel's design to be highly efficient, giving more amputees’ access to advanced prosthetics," he said.