THE MOST POWERFUL AND ADVANCED PROSTHETIC HAND IN THE WORLD | Dr. Aadeel Akhtar of PSYONIC | EP21

In this talk

1. 1:45

   From an early encounter to PSYONIC

   Akhtar says meeting a child who had lost a leg while visiting Pakistan at age seven inspired him to build accessible bionic limbs. After studying biology, computer science, electrical engineering, and neuroscience, he developed a hand with a patient in Ecuador who made a pinch for the first time in 35 years. That experience led him to commercialize the technology through PSYONIC.

2. 4:01

   Designing the Ability Hand for real use

   The current Ability Hand is the ninth generation, following years of rebuilding its hardware and software. Akhtar says soft silicone and rubber components help it withstand impacts, while the fingers close in about 200 milliseconds. Sensors in the fingers send touch information through vibration in the socket, helping users gauge pressure and release objects.

3. 11:25

   Coverage and new markets

   Akhtar says the hand was designed to meet patient needs for speed, durability, and touch feedback while fitting Medicare’s $31,000 coverage limit. PSYONIC set a $15,500 price point for the hand, and Akhtar says Medicare coverage expanded access beyond military and workplace injury cases. The same hand is also used in robotics research, including at NASA, and Akhtar describes a growing market for humanoid robots.

4. 27:12

   Building production and reaching customers

   After a limited regional release in 2019, PSYONIC launched the Ability Hand nationwide in 2021. Akhtar reports revenue of about $200,000 in 2021 and more than $1 million in 2022, with profitability and demand exceeding production capacity. He says social media accounts for about half of sales, and StartEngine funding is going toward equipment and hiring to increase output.

5. 16:12

   Next steps for human-machine integration

   Akhtar describes work with UC San Diego and Navy clinicians on osseointegration, which attaches a prosthesis to a titanium implant in the bone, and on nerve implants for individual finger control. He hopes these approaches could enable tasks such as typing or playing piano. Looking further ahead, he imagines nerve interfaces providing control and touch feedback for robotic devices and virtual reality.