We're not going to lie, an extra pair of hands would be pretty useful sometimes (dare we say, handy). Imagine you're typing out an email while a third hand is bringing a coffee cup up to your lips, or reading a book while chowing down on some potato chips and petting the dog. A team of Japanese engineers has come up with a solution dubbed MetaLimbs – a set of robotic arms that are controlled with your feet and knees.
Based at the University of Tokyo, researchers at the Inami Laboratory saw our limited number of limbs as a problem they could engineer a solution to. MetaLimbs, or Multiple Arts Interaction Metamorphism, is a set of robotic arms that reach around under your human arms and are controlled by sensors attached to your legs.
Positional tracking balls on the knees and feet direct the arm movement, while a sock device allows the movement of your toes to control the grasp of the robot hands. There are even haptic sensors on the robot hands that generate force feedback on your feet. The arms are intended to be worn while sitting, but can be used while standing depending on the task at hand.
At last!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 31 2017, @08:40AM (2 children)
This is so great. Now I can get handjobs from a stranger without the awkwardness of social interaction. I want to marry my prosthetic arm buddy!
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Wednesday May 31 2017, @09:43AM (1 child)
Prostitution is illegal :p
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Wednesday May 31 2017, @12:11PM
I don't think he was intending to pay..
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Wednesday May 31 2017, @10:06AM (1 child)
Anyone found the price of this thing?
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Wednesday May 31 2017, @11:09AM
Prototype stage, I reckon.
Give them 2-3 years though and you'll be able to buy them cheap on ebay from HK, free delivery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 31 2017, @10:20AM
Might be nice for holding a book at a comfortable height in front of my eyes. My arms tend to get tired when holding something steady for an extended period. On the other hand, laying on the sofa in a comfortable reading position might be difficult with this thing strapped to my back?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by c0lo on Wednesday May 31 2017, @10:59AM (4 children)
Why should these arms be strapped to you and not the chair you sit on?
Imagine having to get up to do something and having to choose between getting the harness off your feet and knees or stepping awkwardly with it still attached (perhaps slapping everything around due to the metaarms responding to your walking movements? Maybe its intentional, 'cause the acronym of Multiple Arts Interaction Metamorphism is...).
Besides, if attached to the chair, there is the opportunity to sell more than one pair to the same buyer. With them attached to the person, why would a user want multiple pairs?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by AndyTheAbsurd on Wednesday May 31 2017, @11:14AM
The obvious answer is that they can sell two pairs to every comic book fan boy who wants to be Doctor Octopus. I think the control scheme may need some modifications for that to work, though.
Please note my username before responding. You may have been trolled.
(Score: 4, Funny) by MostCynical on Wednesday May 31 2017, @12:16PM (2 children)
...need to hold.. very still.. while.. soldering...
[moves foot one inch to right - arm tries to push PCB up his nose..]
[flex toes - arm lets go of book, drops it into dinner]
[...]
this will be fun, until someone sneezes and pokes themselves in the eye with a tool orr tears off their dick (see first comment)
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Wednesday May 31 2017, @03:33PM
Ouch, new meanings for "toe curling orgasm" and their new perils.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by krishnoid on Wednesday May 31 2017, @04:59PM
I'll just leave this clip from Total Recall [youtube.com] here. Keep your nose clean and safe -- you'll never know when you'll need to go upside your nose with an electromechanical contrivance.
(Score: 1) by realDonaldTrump on Wednesday May 31 2017, @12:46PM
I always knew those Japs were very smart! Look at my Japanese Americans over here -- look at them. Folks, these hands are gonna be huge! Big league. Congratulations and God bless the USA!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 31 2017, @06:05PM
Goro Wins!