🇬🇧 Open Bionics

About Open Bionics

Open Bionics was founded in Bristol in 2014 by Joel Gibbard and Samantha Payne, originally as an open-source prosthetics research project before evolving into a commercial medical device company. The founders' insight was that advanced multi-grip bionic arms were priced far beyond the reach of most amputees, and that combining 3D printing with an accessible software platform could dramatically reduce cost without sacrificing function.

The company's Hero Arm is a multi-grip myoelectric prosthetic for below-elbow amputees aged eight and above. It uses electromyography (EMG) sensors to detect muscle signals in the residual limb, translating them into a range of grip patterns including pinch, tripod, and power grips. The Hero Arm received FDA clearance and NHS approval, making it one of the few advanced multi-grip prosthetics available through the NHS funding pathway. Open Bionics has partnered with Disney, Marvel, and other brands to offer customised Hero Arm covers, helping younger wearers embrace their device rather than conceal it.

The company is headquartered in Bristol and operates globally, with a strong emphasis on the UK and US markets. It has won numerous design and innovation awards, including a James Dyson Award, and maintains an active research partnership programme with UK universities.

Key Products

• Hero Arm: multi-grip myoelectric below-elbow prosthetic with EMG control; NHS-approved; available for adults and children aged 8+
• Hero Arm covers: customisable decorative shells including Marvel and Disney licensed designs

UK Market Presence

As a Bristol-based company with NHS approval, Open Bionics has the strongest UK market presence of any advanced prosthetics manufacturer. Hero Arms are available through NHS prosthetics centres as well as privately. Private purchase pricing is typically in the £3,000 to £6,000 range depending on configuration and fitting.

Buying Used Open Bionics Equipment

The secondhand Hero Arm market is limited because the device requires professional fitting, calibration, and socket fabrication unique to each wearer. A pre-owned Hero Arm is unlikely to fit a new user without significant rework by a qualified prosthetist. That said, spare electronics modules and covers do occasionally appear on specialist forums in the £200 to £800 range. Buyers should be aware that firmware updates and EMG calibration software are tied to registered clinical accounts, so ensure software access is transferable before purchasing any used unit.