prosthetic arm with lego compatibility sparks creativity for kids with disabilities

‘iko’ is a creative prosthetic system designed for children to explore and empower their creativity in a playful, social and friendly way. partnering with cirec, a foundation for physical rehabilitation, and LEGO future lab, carlos arturo torres tovar developed a hackable product with different modules: socket, battery, docking station with muscle and hand functions.

backhoe with the LEGO socket

the prototype was created for a boy named dario, who has able to control a backhoe, grippers, and a LED on a spaceship, all of which that were attached to his arm using myoelectric sensors. an umea institute of design student, carlos started by observing and interviewing children in colombia with congenital hand disabilities and their families, to confirm that the needs of disabled kids are not always related to physical activity but often alternatively the social and psychological aspect.