Artificial Limbs Have Come a Long Way

by Chris Vegvary

Remember back in the days of yore, when people would replace their lost limbs with wooden pegs or hooks? I suppose hooks are still around, and then there’s wooden and rubber limbs, and all other kinds of materials, but at any rate, we really are living in the future these days. For instance, now we’ve got artificial limbs that are robotic, have the same exact proportions of a person’s normal-sized hand, and is controlled by the user’s brain. Does that not freak you out? It’s spectacular for someone who’s lost a limb, though, like a disabled veteran, or someone who’s been in a bad accident.

Technology has come a long way, and it just keeps coming. How long will it be before the first artificial limb becomes a weapon of some kind, whether it be projectile or melee? That kind of technology can’t be that far away, what with the ability to control robotics with the mind and all. I can’t imagine the prototype for that sort of thing would work out too well for the test subject, but once it was perfected (assuming no one died from the testing phases), that could really be something. A rocket launcher attached to your arm, or a chainsaw, or even a massive harpoon could make for some interesting times, do you deny that? You needn’t bother.

But if your brain can control the robotic limb, is there also some way to make the robotic limb feel the sensation of touch? And, if there is somehow a way to make a person regain their sense of touch through robotics and such, will that also bring back any sense of pain caused by damage to the artificial limb? These are the questions I need answered before I go accidentally losing a limb and paying a dangerous amount of money in order to have all my parts again, whether they be real or real enough. If technology still isn’t there yet, I suppose I can live with that, because it’s really just a matter of time until we have everything we need to make it all happen. In reality, though, if I absolutely had to have a robotic arm, I’d have to insist on it not having the ability to make me feel pain.

What can this mean for the FUTURE of the future of artificial limbs? Could we be just a head with an entirely artificial body? I don’t see how it’s possible, but the future scientists of the world out there might have some ideas. If I go bald one day, could I possibly get some artificial hairs in the form of tiny robotic strands that grow like natural hair? How would that look? That’s right, it WOULD be awesome. In summation, technology is getting better all the time, and they can apparently rebuild you better, stronger, faster, and…stuff. And by the way, if you happen to like stuff, boy have I got some stuff for you. Come check out all these spectacular military clothes, hunting and camping gear, Zippos, wallets, and more we have over at www.armynavyshop.com and get yourself some good whatnot.