In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the University of Cambridge have demonstrated that members of the public can quickly learn to use a controllable, prosthetic extra thumb, known as the "Third Thumb," to pick up and manipulate objects. The robotic device, developed by Dani Clode, a collaborator within Professor Tamar Makin's lab at the Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, aims to increase the wearer's range of movement, enhance grasping capability, and expand the carrying capacity of the hand.
The Third Thumb is worn on the opposite side of the palm to the biological thumb and is controlled by pressure sensors placed under each big toe or foot. Applying pressure from the right toe pulls the Thumb across the hand, while pressure from the left toe pulls the Thumb up toward the fingers. The extent of the Thumb's movement is proportional to the applied pressure, and releasing pressure returns it to its original position.
To ensure the device's inclusivity and accessibility, the team tested the Third Thumb on a diverse range of 596 participants, aged 3 to 96 years old, at the annual Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition. Remarkably, 98% of participants successfully used the Third Thumb within a minute, with only four unable to use it due to fit or control issues.
Participants were given up to a minute to familiarize themselves with the device and were then asked to complete one of two tasks: picking up pegs from a pegboard and placing them in a basket, or using the Third Thumb together with their biological hand to manipulate and move various foam objects. The results showed that almost everyone was able to use the device straightaway, with no significant differences in performance between genders or handedness.
While older and younger adults had similar levels of ability when using the new technology, a decline in performance was observed with increasing age among older adults. This effect could be attributed to the general degradation in sensorimotor and cognitive abilities associated with aging, as well as a generational relationship to technology. Performance was generally poorer among younger children, with six out of the 13 participants who could not complete the task being below the age of 10 years old.
Professor Tamar Makin emphasized the importance of inclusive design in the development of new technologies, stating, "To ensure everyone will have the opportunity to participate and benefit from these exciting advances, we need to explicitly integrate and measure inclusivity during the earliest possible stages of the research and development process."
Dani Clode added, "Augmentation is about designing a new relationship with technology, reating something that extends beyond being merely a tool to becoming an extension of the body itself. Given the diversity of bodies, it's crucial that the design stage of wearable technology is as inclusive as possible."
The study highlights the significance of inclusive design considerations in the development of wearable technology and human-machine interactions. The researchers stress the need to factor in different ages, genders, weight, lifestyles, disabilities, as well as cultural and financial backgrounds, to ensure that new technologies are accessible and functional for a wide range of users.
The successful testing of the Third Thumb across a large and diverse sample demonstrates the potential for motor augmentation devices to enhance human capabilities and improve the quality of life for both healthy individuals and those with disabilities. As technology continues to advance, it is crucial that researchers and developers prioritize inclusive design to ensure that the benefits of these innovations are accessible to all.
