Health Train Express: The Future Of Prosthetics Depends On A.I

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

The Future Of Prosthetics Depends On A.I

Back in 2011, archeologists unearthed one of the oldest known prosthetic devices; a wooden toe buried with Egyptian mummies some 3,000 years ago. While aesthetically it packs a steampunk look, this artificial toe was far from being a cosmetic item. After testing replicas, researchers found that they were indeed practical devices that helped in walking. While throughout the millennia the materials have changed, prosthetics only evolved in recent decades with the advent of robotic prostheses.

Advance forward 5-6 millennia

From steampunk Egyptian mummies to cyberpunk brain-controlled prosthetics

So, from bits and bytes of archeological digs, we move on to bits and bytes of technology to build anthropomorphic machines to attach to ourselves as we move toward biosynthetic human beings.

The technology is already here including material sciences, electronic, microchips, sensor technology, and human innovation, curiosity and goals.

The necessary steps to develop a self-sustaining business include already well-known startup implementation, venture capital funding, and committed leaders. The future prosthetic industry will require large amounts of capital which may include private, venture capital funding as well as existing companies in this field. A critical issue will be market demands and health payer reimbursements. Payer challenges may be met by different market segments. Military and Veterans Benefits will be the first to source this capability as many amputations result from battle. It would seem the government will invest in R&D for prosthetics just as it has for military robotics, which includes augmented skeletons for load-carrying heavy supplies, as well as robotic mules.