Scientists have developed what could turn out to be the most lifelike robotic prosthetic hand yet. The technology, developed by researchers from Cornell University, takes a page from the machinery used in a car to give the robotic arm dexterity that's comparable to a human. And to demonstrate this, the hand was able to nimbly catch a can of beer and even crush it with remarkable strength. Researchers created a life-like robotic prosthetic hand that uses a'transmission' to allow it to alternate between strength and speed. The transmission, which they call an elastomeric passive transmission, is essentially a cylindrical spool with a'tendon' wrapped around it.

A new generation of prosthetic limbs which allow the wearer to reach for objects automatically, without thinking – just like a real hand – are to be trialed for the first time. The cutting-edge research was lead by a team at Newcastle University who claim to have developed a prosthetic hand that is able to "see" objects in front of it using a simple Logitech webcam, and respond via software to assess and grasp them. The prosthetic hand is able to see and grasp objects automatically without the need to "think"; just like a real hand, says the University The next-gen prosthetic hand works via a fitted camera which instantaneously takes a picture of the object in front of it, assesses its shape and size and triggers a series of movements in the hand. Bypassing the usual processes which require the user to see the object, physically stimulate the muscles in the arm and trigger a movement in the prosthetic limb, the hand'sees' and reacts in one fluid movement. The Newcastle University research team said it is working with experts at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to offer the'hands with eyes' to patients at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.