Developing bionic hands, elbows, knees and ankles for people with limb loss
Limb prostheses do not fully meet users' needs for movement and everyday tasks. Functional limitations and complex controls can lead people to abandon their devices. Even advanced prosthetic hands lack the dexterity and adaptability of a human hand.
Ars Bionica develops bionic hands, elbows, knees and ankles for everyday movement after limb loss. Built on IIT-INAIL research and co-designed with users and prosthetic specialists, its devices are being advanced toward industrialization with e-Novia.
What stands out about Ars Bionica
A 2020 Hannes pilot study evaluated amputees before and after about two weeks of independent home use for daily tasks.
Joined e-Novia's Venture Studio in March 2026 to advance prosthetic technology toward industrialization and market adoption.
Won the Venture CDP and Special Jacobacci prizes at PNI 2025.
Awarded six months of free incubation at FILSE's BIC through SMARTcup Liguria 2025 to support startup development.
Co-founder Michele Canepa co-authored the 2020 Science Robotics Hannes study and leads prosthetic-interface research at IIT.
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