“Unlimited Tomorrow” is working alongside Stratasys, a 3D printing company and Dassault Systems, a software design company to make 3D printed prosthetics. The custom-design and affordable prosthetics are made to be accessible for children from remote and underprivileged communities.

Over 30 million people globally, need prosthetic devices. However, advanced prosthetics can cost over 70,000 euro. And as a result of this, many amputees are required to use traditional devices which are typically large and very inconvenient, limiting their capabilities in everyday life. Moreover, children are required to have multiple artificial limbs as they grow older, driving up the cost for their families.

Unlimited Tomorrow plans to provide amputees with low cost 3D scanners that can be used at home. The scanners collect data from the missing arm and full opposite arm if applicable. The data is then run through proprietary software and automatically exports ready to be printed files using a huge network of printers located all over the world. When the prosthetic is printed, it is combined with wireless charging and sensors to manage force feedback through haptics.

Mike Gaisford, director of healthcare solutions at Stratasys says, « Children are some of the people who will benefit most from an effective prosthetic, » he continues, « Because of the importance to self-esteem and secondly to learn the skills that they need to be productive and engage in schoolwork and play. It’s vital for development. »

References

• Design Boom. (https://www.designboom.com/technology/unlimited-tomorrow-prothetics-02-07-2018/). February 07, 2018. Zach Andrews. ‘unlimited tomorrow’ to 3D print 20 prosthetics for the price of 1.
• ZDNet. (https://www.zdnet.com/article/stratasys-dassault-unlimited-tomorrow-team-up-to-scale-low-cost-3d-printed-prosthetics/). February 05, 2018. Larry Dignan. ​Stratasys, Dassault, Unlimited Tomorrow team up to scale low-cost 3D printed prosthetics.
• CNBC. (https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/05/prosthetic-project-goes-global-as-3d-firm-stratasys-agrees-to-print-arms.html). February 08, 2018. David Reid. Garage prosthetic project goes global as 3-D firm Stratasys agrees to print arms.