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ROYSTON, England — An England man has seen life return to normal six years after losing his arm in an accident.
Nigel Ackland, 53, is using what has been called a "Terminator-like" hand that is so sensitive he can type on a computer keyboard, peel vegetables and even dress himself, which he hasn't been able to do for six years.
The carbon-fiber mechanical arm, whose hand is made from aluminum and alloy knuckles, is controlled by movements in Ackland's upper arm. Sensors trigger one of 14 pre-programmed grips, including a pointed finger, a clenched fist and a pinching motion.
"As you can see, it's a really nice piece of equipment," Ackland said in a demonstration video posted on YouTube. "And I love it."
During a demonstration, the father of one showed a grip with his palm up and finger beckoning.
"We have this grip here, this is one that scares children and upsets my wife," he said jokingly.
Ackland demonstrated successfully cracking eggs into a bowl and opening and pouring a drink.
A similar limb was recently demonstrated by Zac Vawter, who lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident. Vawter climbed the 103 floors of the Willis Tower in Chicago while wearing a bionic leg as a part of a charity event.
Vawter's bionic leg was a prototype and was left behind with researchers in Chicago when he returned home to Washington.
