PAL – Future arm prosthetics
Creator:
Heinrich Zaunschirm
Curator's Note
Updated: March 2025
This project envisions a future where prosthetic limbs are more accessible, comfortable, and empowering for amputees. By merging the functionality of traditional body-powered prostheses with the adaptability of modern technology, it offers a lightweight, intuitive solution that seamlessly integrates into daily life. In a world where expensive, complex prosthetics often remain out of reach, this concept proves that a smarter, more inclusive approach is possible today — one that prioritizes the real needs and experiences of amputees over industry conventions.
It humanizes technology.
Abstract
Prostheses can help people with limb difference to lead a life with lesser limitations. Today’s prosthetics industry focuses on high end electronic prostheses, which results in expensive products that only few people have access to. Moreover, these devices are often heavy, hard to control and unappealing, which leads to many users abandoning their prostheses. Simpler, purely mechanical prostheses have been around since over 100 years, are still widely used and are considered to be very functional.
View from behind, PAL
However, they have seen only marginal improvements since their invention, as they are being mostly neglected by the industry. New technological developments like the accessibility of 3D-printing have created opportunities to bridge this gap and provide users with better prostheses. The goal of this project was to find and explore ways to improve accessibility, functionality and acceptance of these devices. I did this in close collaboration with users, stakeholders and my collaborating partner Agile Robots. The final design concept is a hybrid arm prosthesis that combines advantages of both modern electronic systems and traditional body-powered prostheses into a lightweight and robust solution.
It is body powered by a harness undershirt, that can be comfortably worn underneath the users’ clothes. Users can choose from a range of customized, inexpensive terminal device modules to gain individual benefits for different activities. The simplified hand as the everyday tool is cost-effective and can perform the most important grips while staying affordable and friendly in appearance. The socket has a soft feel to it, naturally deforms with the rotation of the wrist and can be personalized by creating custom cover sleeves.
Inside
Customization software
By using available technology like 3D-scanning, procedural configurator software and a new way of 3D-printing, the prosthesis can be tailored to the individual user while reducing costs and manual work effort. This concept should serve as an inspiration for how amputees could benefit from making prostheses simpler, yet more personalized. It could challenge professionals in the field to rethink traditional methods of fitting and manufacturing prostheses and shine light on some of many challenges in the development of upper limb prostheses.
