Open Bionics

Open Bionics is a Bristol, UK-based medical device company that develops low-cost, 3D-printed myoelectric (bionic) arms for people with below-elbow amputations and limb differences. Its core product line is the Hero Arm, a multi-grip bionic hand custom-printed to each user's measurements and controlled by muscle sensors that drive servo-actuated fingers. Documented Hero Arm features include six grip types, 180-degree wrist rotation, magnetically attached swappable decorative covers, an adjustable fit to compensate for limb expansion and a ventilated liner. Users are supported by a Sidekick App, developed by Calvium, providing interactive training guides and personalisation controls.

The product family has broadened beyond the original Hero Arm (marketed for children aged 8 and over) to include the Hero PRO (positioned as the lightest available), the Hero RGD (ruggedised and waterproof), the Hero FLEX (swappable socket) and the Hero GAUNTLET for partial hand. Hero PRO and Hero RGD, launched in 2025 after roughly four years and $2.5m of R&D incorporating feedback from around 1,000 existing users, are described by the company as twice as fast as leading bionic hands and as the only fully wireless and waterproof bionic arms available, with all componentry, including the battery, housed in the palm and a USMC-standard wrist connector allowing hands or sports attachments to be swapped. Control uses wireless EMG electrodes called MyoPods that sit on the residual limb and read muscle signals. Accessories such as activity attachments, covers, carry bags and batteries are sold through an online shop.

A separate site, Open Bionics Labs, targets researchers, scientists and developers, offering MyoPods as standalone wireless EMG and 6-axis IMU sensors (Bluetooth LE 5.4, sample rates to 6kHz, wireless Qi charging, IPX7, medically certified) with example Python code, developer kits available for pre-order shipping from October 2025, and a stated plan to offer robotic hands for humanoid robotics development.

Founding story

Joel Gibbard began building robotic hands and 3D-printed prosthetics at age 17 and created the Open Hand Project after studying robotics at the University of Plymouth, aiming to use 3D printing for hand prostheses. Samantha Payne, then a reporter in Bristol covering social impact stories and also supporting survivors of domestic violence to prototype wearable safeguarding technology, interviewed him; the two bonded over social impact, 3D printing and prototyping and co-founded Open Bionics in 2014.

Business model

Open Bionics designs and manufactures custom bionic limbs that are dispensed through prosthetic clinics, including its own specialist upper-limb clinics in the United States and a partner clinic network, alongside distribution in the UK and Europe. It also sells accessories, covers and activity attachments directly online, and offers MyoPod developer kits to researchers and developers.

Revenue comes from the sale of custom bionic arms and sockets, funded via private sales, insurance reimbursement, Medicare/Medicaid, VA/TRICARE and HSA/FSA in the US, and national healthcare systems in Western markets; accessories, covers and MyoPod developer kits (listed at £2,000 pre-order) are sold direct-to-consumer via the company shop. A HeroCare package bundling a three-year warranty and free appointments is included with devices.

Traction

The company reports more than 2,000 Hero ARM wearers and over 400 verified five-star patient reviews; the 2025 launch release cited over 1,000 users and more than 100 five-star reviews. It operated six dedicated upper-limb clinical sites with six more planned in that year, and lists US clinics across California, North Carolina, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. Devices are FDA-regulated and PDAC approved with multiple reimbursement pathways.

Latest developments

In 2025 Open Bionics launched the Hero RGD and Hero PRO wireless, waterproof bionic hands after about four years and $2.5m of R&D, and opened pre-orders for MyoPods wireless EMG developer kits shipping from October 2025, while signalling plans to supply robotic hands for humanoid robotics development. The current product range also includes Hero FLEX and Hero GAUNTLET, and the company has announced a MrBeast cover collaboration.