Technological Intervention
The Tej Kohli Future Bionics program funds bionic arms for British children from Bristol-based robotics pioneer Open Bionics. Open Bionics is building and developing the next generation of low-cost bionic limbs that turn disabilities into superpowers. The program highlights how technology can substantially improve the lives and confidence of young people living with disabilities. It aims to inspire and influence others to follow this lead.
The Open Bionics ‘Hero Arm’, which can be controlled with the electrical signals generated by a user’s muscles, has superior multi-grip functionality that enables users to perform many more everyday activities compared to traditional prosthetics. The enhanced ability of the user to be able to personalise their 3D-printed Open Bionics Hero Arm is also a huge boost to mental well-being and to perceived social acceptance.
Read about the launch of the Future Bionics program
Future Bionics: Funding 3D Printed Hero Arms For Young People
Tilly Lockey explains the Open Bionics Hero Arm to 10-year-old Jacob
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Bionic Actress Gracie McGonigal | Part Five of Five | Tej Kohli #FutureBionics
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Bionic Actress Gracie McGonigal | Part Four of Five | Tej Kohli #FutureBionics
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Bionic Actress Gracie McGonigal | Part Three of Five | Tej Kohli #FutureBionics
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Bionic Actress Gracie McGonigal | Part Two of Five | Tej Kohli #FutureBionics
Young people, we are helping in the UK
Emma
Age 8 | From Aberdeenshire
8-year-old Emma is a quadruple amputee living in Aberdeenshire. She lost both her legs, part of her left arm and all the fingers on her right hand to meningococcal septicaemia when she was just two years old. Emma is determined and feisty and has smashed new challenges like riding a bike. She loves watching other children like her on YouTube who has a “cool bionic hand” and on her eighth birthday when she reached the lower age limit, Emma received the world’s first multi-grip bionic arm for children from the Tej Kohli Foundation.
Jacob
Age 15 | From Birmingham*
Jacob is 15 and is more conscious of his self-image and wanted to feel as “near normal” as possible. Jacob also has autism and is obsessed with robots and transformers. He wanted to make a statement that he is proudly different, but also to have a functioning arm that would enable him to perform more everyday tasks. After a challenging two years, Jacob deserved some good luck, and in April 2020 he received his fully-funded bionic Hero Arm from the Tej Kohli Foundation.
Jacob
Age 10 | From Blackburn
Jacob was born without his right arm as a result of amniotic band syndrome. All Jacob has spoken about for the past month is the Hero Arm, and his father David is “completely overwhelmed” that Jacob has been selected for a donation and claims that it will “change Jacob’s life”.
Harrison
Age 16 | From Exeter
Harrison is a keen sportsman and plays Cricket, Hockey, Football and Rugby. He is really looking forward to wearing his Hero Arm as he thinks that people are going to be really interested in seeing it.
Apply for Future Bionics Funding
The Tej Kohli Foundation collaborates closely with the Open Bionics Foundation in the selection of recipients of funding from the Tej Kohli Foundation Future Bionics program. Applications to receive funding for a Hero Arm should be made through the Open Bionics Foundation
