Imagine having an extra pair of robotic arms to help you with everyday tasks, such as cooking, working, or even performing surgery. And a third thumb can change how the brian works for the better.

The idea of "bionics" has been around for decades. And it may sound like science fiction, but with human augmentation, the future is here.

One example of this concept is a 3D-printed thumb created by designer Dani Clode, a colleague of Tamar Makin, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at Cambridge University. 

Clode's thumb can be added to any hand and has the potential to assist with tasks such as holding plates for waiters or soldering for electrical engineers.

Makin envisions that other robotic body parts could be designed for specific workplace needs, such as an extra arm to help a builder hammer a nail while holding a joist in place or a surgeon who wants to control a camera while performing surgery.

The unique aspect of these robotic body parts is that they are not meant to replace the capabilities of the wearer's original body, but rather augment and enhance them. The idea is to build on the existing capabilities of a person's body and allow them to do more without taking away from their natural abilities. 

This approach is rooted in the concept of agency, where the wearer can control the robotic body part precisely without having to articulate their commands.

Human augmentation and the third thumb

The researchers emphasize that these human-robotic devices should have minimal impact on the wearer's body while providing maximum gain. 

For example, Clode's extra thumb is connected to two wrist-based motors that are wirelessly connected to microcontrollers on the wearer's shoes or ankles, which are connected to pressure sensors underneath the big toes.

 By pressing down on these sensors, the wearer can control the thumb, demonstrating how the robotic body part can be seamlessly integrated into the wearer's movements.

Scientists from Cambridge University at the Royal Society studied how the brain interprets an extra robo-appendage and how it affects other motor functions.

The study with 600 participants ranging in age from three to 97 years old had remarkable results. 98% of the participants were able to use the extra thumb within the first minute. And move objects as instructed.

Their study revealed that humans of all ages are remarkably capable of adapting to a “third thumb.”

“[Of around] 600 people between the age of three and 97, 98% could use it within the first minute, meaning … they could already move objects around as instructed,” said Makin. “I can’t imagine a brain chip that can do that.”

The future of human augmentation could include robotic body parts that increase our existing capabilities. And provide us with additional tools to enhance our productivity and daily activities. As robotics technology continues to advance, the potential for human augmentation through robotic body parts is truly limitless.