Pisa institutes unveils bionic hand

(ANSA) - Rome, April 13 - Scientists at Italy's Institute of Biorobiotics in Pisa have developed a bionic hand said to be functional as well as realistic in appearance, the institute announced on Monday.
    'My-Hand', the short name for the Myoelectric-Hand prosthesis project, saw the research team work with designers to create an "artificial limb to show off and not hide," said coordinator Christian Cipriani.
    The next-generation prosthesis has a silicon-coated exoskeleton supported by thin titanium sheets, weighing just over 7 ounces, which is less than half the weight of a more conventional artificial hand. It will be offered in a range of skin tones.
    The hand is operated by a high-tech interface developed from European project WAY and not surgically implanted.
    "We thought to use a minimum number of engines to allow the hand to perform all the movements of everyday life", design engineer Marco Controzzi said.
    MyHand is conduction month-long human testing with volunteers.
    One was 32-year-old Mirco Menini.
    "I had a good impression. It's possible to execute more movements and grasp more delicate objects, such as a sheet of paper".