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Cheap Robot Arm Turns Disabled Kid Into Sci-Fi Superstar

Dee Faught is 17, and suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta, commonly known as ā€œbrittle bone diseaseā€. For years he’s been unable to perform even simple tasks like turning off his own lightswitch. Now, however, he’s got a degree of independence. All thanks to his badass new robot arm.

A team of student engineers at Rice Universeity have spent two years designing and building Dee a claw that attaches to the back of his wheelchair, and can be controlled using a PlayStation pad.

It’s a revelation, not just for the freedom it grants Dee, but also because it only cost around $800, where traditionally stuff like this would set you back over $20,000.

The best part, though, is that Dee can now a science super-hero. Or super-villain. The choice is his to make.

Rice engineering team delivers robotic arm to Houston area teenager [RICE, via Laughing Squid]

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