Russia Unveils the World’s First Bionic Hand Controlled by Optical Sensors
The new prosthetic, developed by the robotics company Motorica, interprets signals from wrist tendons rather than muscles — bringing movement control closer to natural human motion.
Russian startup Motorica has introduced the world’s first bionic hand prosthesis powered by optical sensors. Called Omni Hand, the device reads light-based signals from tendons in the wrist, allowing users to control the prosthetic even if their muscles are weak or partially atrophied.
This innovation marks a major step in neuroprosthetics, offering smoother, more intuitive motion than traditional myoelectric systems that rely on muscle activity.
A New Level of Human–Machine Interaction
When a user performs a “phantom” motion — mentally clenching a fist or mimicking a pinch — the prosthetic interprets the signal and reproduces the gesture instantly. Unlike many existing prosthetics that require users to toggle between gestures, Omni Hand executes any movement in real time and in any sequence.
Mass production of the Omni Hand is scheduled to begin in January 2026, with eight pilot users already completing successful trials. The company sees the optical interface as a foundation for next-generation prosthetics that respond as seamlessly as biological limbs.
