Researchers at the University of Utah have developed an AI co-pilot for bionic hands to make them more intuitive and easier to use. Conventional prostheses are often abandoned because controlling the individual joints and grips requires a high level of concentration. The team equipped the fingertips with pressure and distance sensors so that the AI can control each finger individually and automatically adjust the grip force.
Users retain full control while the AI provides discreet support, increasing the success rate when handling delicate objects from 10–20% to 80–90%. Although this new variant is still less dexterous than natural limbs, it reduces cognitive effort and is an important step towards fully integrated, AI-assisted hand prostheses.