LATEST MECHANICAL ENGINEERING NEWS UPDATE 3

A robotic limb that gives its user super-human strength has won a global contest for inventions that could change the world.

Known as Titan Arm (Yes, the same about which you have read in our 2 earlier 2 posts) – which allows people to lift 30kg (70lb) using the strength required to lift 13kg (30lbs) – was hailed as ‘ingenious’. It beat rival entries including an itch-free plastic cast in the James Dyson Awards.

‘There were 650 entries from 18 countries, including some really great ideas, so even to be finalists made us ecstatic,’ said US student Nick Parrotta, 23, a member of the winning team. British vacuum pioneer Mr Dyson, who funds the awards, said Titan Arm had impressed him because it costs only £1,200 to produce – far less than some rival exo-skeletons. ‘It is obviously an ingenious design but the team’s use of modern, rapid – and relatively inexpensive – manufacturing techniques makes the project even more compelling,’ he said.

The University of Pennsylvania winners will use their £30,000 prize money to fund more work on the arm, which could help manual workers and disabled people.