Ever wanted a mechanical third arm?

Imagine finally being able to read a book, check your emails, and drink your much needed coffee all at the same time? Well this fantasy may be possible in the near future.

There have been many experiments done to achieve such a task but non are quit as close to it as Zack Bright and Harry H. Asada's Supernumerary Robotic Limbs are. The main objective here is to create a less strenuous environment for workers when working on large commercial aircraft's. With the new granular jamming gripper that can grasp diverse objects from an arbitrary direction and the effective control algorithms. Workers will be able to move around freely while the mechanical arm which attaches to the shoulder and has a comfort exoskeleton design can hold up an object while you can still have use of your two arms. This is being conducted due to 25% of injuries are from the shoulder alone.

Although this is being designed for the sake of stopping unwanted injuries in the airline work. The designs and new features being developed have the potential to help create a better working mechanical arms for the sake of personal purchase and every day use. It can very well come in Handy (pun) in the near future.