Psyonic Ability Hand Might be the Coolest Prosthetic Yet, Here’s a Hands-On Look

You’ve seen the video game-inspired bionic hand, now check out the Psyonic Ability Hand. It’s currently the only bionic hand on the market with multi-touch sensory feedback. Sensors in the fingertips (on the thumb, index, and pinky) detect pressure when gripping objects and send vibrations to the user’s residual limb.

Multi-touch sensory feedback basically mimics the sensation of touch, letting users “feel” what they’re holding, from delicate items like a berry to sturdier objects. It closes in about 200 milliseconds, which is faster than the blink of an eye and over twice as fast as other bionic hands, allowing users to grasp objects quickly and efficiently.

What’s really neat is its 32 grip styles, enabling precision jobs like grabbing tiny things or typing. The hand automatically moves its thumb for a secure hold, so things don’t slip. It connects via Bluetooth, so a doctor can fine-tune settings using an iPhone or Android app, with over-the-air software updates to improve performance.

Believe it or not, it charges with a USB-C cable in about an hour, and its 2200mAh battery lasts all day. Besides helping as a prosthetic, the Ability Hand is used by NASA, Meta, and Apptronik for robot studies because it acts so much like a real human hand.

How much does it cost? Well, Ability Hand is covered by Medicare as well as most U.S. insurance providers, and is significantly more affordable than other advanced bionic hands, which can cost $50,000–$150,000. The Ability Hand retails between $25,000–$50,000.