Tunisian smart prosthetic gains recognition at Microsoft Imagine Cup

When you hear about amazing developments in technology and science, you seldom think of “Africa” sadly, and more about developed Western and Eastern nations. However, the runner-up in Microsoft’s Imagine Cup 2016 is proving otherwise.

Tunisia’s Night’s Watch is a technology startup founded by students Amir Ben Said, Soumaya Tekaya, Mohamed Zied Cherif and Mohamed Assil Mekki, from Espirit University. Their Smart Hand project took home second prize in the Imagine Cup 2016 World Citizenship Category, being cheaper than most prosthetics. The prosthetic doesn’t require any surgical integration, while also being incredibly customisable with a mobile application. The idea for a more affordable smart-prosthetic was inspired by Zied Cherif, who has a birth defect, resulting in an underdeveloped hand.

“The device can easily resolve many problems that face amputees and people with birth defects. Also in terms of expenses, the device has an interesting low cost compared to other prosthetic solutions offered here in Tunisia,” said Dr Othman Lemsi, a general practitioner based in Ariana, in a vlog post

“I want to mention that the Smart Hand has no side-effects because it only [makes] contact with the skin, it has no risk on the neurological system,” he continued.

Dr Lemsi wasn’t the only medical practitioner impressed with the device; Dr Hatem Bouassida, an orthopaedic and trauma surgeon has also expressed his intrigue.

“The concept is great because the hand can be easily worn by the patient who has an amputated limb or birth defect. The moves performed by the prosthetic can handle almost every important daily task for the patient,” he said.

The device attaches to the arm of the patient and syncs to their phone via Bluetooth, the muscle movements in the arm then being transmitted to the prosthetic limb. The Windows Phone app also connects to the Myo gesture control smartband.

Hopefully, these students progress further into their development, to not only show the world that Africa’s technological prowess is increasing. But, to also provide a more affordable solution for people unable to afford prosthetics.

Featured video: Smart Hand via Youtube 

Featured image: Ahyakal via Flickr