Kwawu Bionic (NIOP)

The Kwawu Bionic hand with Q-C wrist connection is a revolutionary device that aims to redefine the capabilities of prosthetic hands. It combines the best features from the Hintha and Gripper hand series, along with the natural aesthetics of the Kwawu.

One of the key design innovations of the Kwawu Bionic hand is the solid, one-piece fingers that only bend at the palm. This eliminates the need for TPU hinges and simplifies the assembly process. The solid fingers provide a larger surface area for applying Plasti-Dip, ensuring a secure grip and preventing items from slipping out easily.

The thumb of the Kwawu Bionic hand is fixed in place but mounted on a positionable, rotating base. This feature allows the thumb to be turned to the side, enabling different types of grip. The fixed thumb also acts as a solid brace for the fingers, enhancing the hand's overall gripping strength and stability.

The hand features a voluntary-opening design with an automatically-closing grip. Torsion springs integrated into the knuckle joint enable the hand to open with a short pull and ensure that the thumb and fingertips make full contact when closed. The spring-loaded grip guarantees a secure hold on objects and minimizes the risk of accidentally dropping them.

The Kwawu Bionic hand takes inspiration from the wiring and programming schematic of the YouBionic HandyLite. By utilizing two linear actuators (or optional servos) controlled by an Arduino Nano board, the hand simplifies the wiring process compared to other designs. Each linear actuator or servo controls two fingers, while the thumb remains unpowered in this configuration.

The hand can be controlled using an Arduino Nano board, with the option to upgrade to Bluetooth capabilities for smartphone control. This opens up exciting possibilities for developing e-NABLE devices and potentially even e-NABLE apps for arm prosthetics in the future.

To enhance the user experience, flex sensors are used as the main grip trigger instead of myoelectric sensors. Flex sensors provide a more reliable grip, as they are less prone to unintended releases caused by arm movements or muscle firing. Myoelectric sensors can still be utilized for secondary actions like wrist rotation, offering a versatile control system for the Kwawu Bionic hand.

The Kwawu Bionic hand aims to establish a standardized power source module that can be used for future bionic and myoelectric designs. The power pack is strategically positioned close to or directly on the residual limb to maintain balance within the arm.

Additional equipment and accessories, such as rechargeable AA batteries, can be added to enhance the functionality and convenience of the hand.