As someone with a background in prototype development who has gone through the design process themselves, Davis also tells me “it’s a difficult market to serve because of all of the variations in levels of amputation and expectations of what functions a device is going to be able to aid the user’s lifestyle.”
However, it’s no doubt that Open Bionics has created a buzz in the industry, inspiring many other creators toward functional, innovative designs. I spoke to Nate Macabuag, founder of Koalaa, a soft-prosthetics company with an emphasis on tool-based design (specific forms for playing tennis, playing hockey, surfing, playing instruments, and so on). His journey started when he was a mechanical engineering university student specializing in robotics and human-centered design. “Open Bionics prioritize things looking smart,” says Macabuag. He appreciates the concept of the Gauntlet because it’s simple and can be accessible to everyone “I always have a …