India: Smartprinting & FunMove Partner to Educate on Bionic 3D Printed Prosthetics

As 3D printing changes many industries and processes in manufacturing, and a wide array of innovations and designs are presented to a duly impressed public around the globe, one area we never tire of reporting on is that of 3D printed prosthetics. This is one arena that presents not only heartwarming inspiration, it demonstrates nearly every beneficial aspect of what the 3D printing model has to offer the world, on multiple levels–from manufacturing aspects, to what it offers in medical innovations worldwide and in developing countries, to what is presented on the individual level.

Now, two organizations are coming together in what’s nothing short of an incredibly inspiring endeavor. With thought only for those in need of prosthetics, Smartprinting and FunMove are partnering to spread their technology and processes to India.

The Flexi-hand

Smartprinting is a news company in India dedicated to reporting on the latest news in the 3D printing industry, but they also have a humanitarian interest in watching the technology spread throughout their country via the 3D printed prosthetic. Their focus is on promoting volunteer work and participation for donating open source, free, 3D printed prosthetics.

Considering Smartprinting’s inspiring and noble agenda, they’ve partnered with the right group of people, as FunMove, headquartered in South Korea, is famous not only for their 3D printed Galileo prosthetic hand which caught the attention of Smartprinting, but also for something new they have in development, which should make news everywhere–and offer hope to many who are missing hands: a bionic prosthetic that can be 3D printed and made at a cost of $150.

“FunMove is sending a team of biomedical engineers and robotic system engineers to India,” Amit Arora of Smartprinting told 3DPrint.com. “These engineers would share the technology of their flexi-hand with their counterparts in India.”

“The aim of the partnership is to promote volunteer participation for the open-source humanitarian work of giving free prosthetics to the underprivileged population of India.”

The Flexi-hand is the latest innovation from FunMove, and is special not only because of its affordability but also because it would be the first open source bio-electronic hand, employing 3D printing and Arduino software, that Smartprinting has worked with. Up until now, the news entity has been working with citizens in India in need, supplying 3D printed prosthetics through the dynamic e-NABLE, whose projects we follow often.

With the Flexi-hand, Smartprinting has plans to distribute the open source design to makers, tinkers, and engineers in India who are interested in participating–as well as offering feedback that can contribute to any necessary improvements on the 3D printed prosthetic.

“We plan to work closely with anyone who would like to contribute as a volunteer for this noble cause,” states the Smartprinting team.

The 3D printed bionic Galileo hand

They will be offering a meet and greet with FunMove, with an open discussion through Maker’s Asylum on July 28^th, in Mumbai. There, FunMove will be able to introduce themselves to Indian citizens, makers, innovators, and more who want to find out more about the impending partnership and 3D printed prosthetics that the South Korean nonprofit organization makes and donates.

“Our mission is not only development and donating, we aim beyond it,” states the FunMove team. “The most important thing is our spirit.”

FunMove is dedicated to passing their knowledge onto others who are interested, and they make it a habit to train others in the art of making–and donating–3D printed prosthetics. The partnership with Smartprinting, ultimately, is meant to:

• Encourage participation in 3D printing and donating the Galileo Hand, which they plan to highlight through a video tutorial on fabricating and assembling.
• Allow Smartprinting to act as a facilitator for any Indian learning institution, company, NGO, or private individual who would like to set up a 3D printing lab to make open source 3D printed prosthetics In India.
• Allow for easier collaboration between the two companies in making free learning materials for both the formal and informal learning settings, as well as introducing the elements of digital design and 3D printing.

Do you know anyone who has received a 3D printed prosthetic, or have you been involved in any of the worldwide projects, such as those coordinated by e-NABLE? Share with us in the Open Source Bionic 3D Printed Prosthetics forum thread over at 3DPB.com.