Bionicohand: a collaborative, open-source myoelectric prosthetic hand designed with and for its user

This article introduces Bionicohand (BNH), an open-source, collaborative prosthetic hand developed in close partnership with a specific user (expert user)—who is also a co-author of this work. The design choices were driven by a focus on simplicity and practical usability. A detailed description of the BNH components is provided. The expert-user took part in the ARM discipline of Cybathlon 2024 using the BNH, results are presented and discussed. Following the event, evaluations were carried out with this same participant, including standardized functional performance tests and multiple grip force measurements, using both the BNH and the participant’s usual commercial prosthesis. The intention is to position BNH through objective evaluations in relation to this commercial prosthetic device. BNH finished at second position of the Cybathlon 2024. When analyzing the average execution times over the three races (qualifications and final) for the nine tasks that BNH was able to complete, its performance was superior to that of the two other finalist teams. The results of the evaluation protocol carried after the event, show the performance levels of the BNH are very close to those of the commercial prosthesis. The BNH was developed following an innovative co-design model, created with and for a specific user. When operated by the expert user, the prosthesis achieves performance levels comparable to those obtained with his commercial device.