What an Extra Thumb Means for You!

Some of us are referred to as being “all thumbs” when it comes to completing physical tasks, but what if we had an extra thumb? A group of English scientists say it would actually be a huge help.

The team from University of Cambridge (UC) in England created the Third Thumb, and it is as the name suggests: this 3D-printed, wrist-strapped robotic device provides you with an additional digit to give your hands more capacity to do stuff.

Dani Clode, the Third Thumb’s creator, says that learning to use the device might appear “complex”, but you can get a handle on it “within one minute”; the user can control the sixth finger by applying or decreasing pressure to a pair of wireless sensors under their left and right toes.

The Third Thumb has been around since 2017, but its most notable outing was at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition in 2022. Of those in attendance, 596 people operated the device with ease and demonstrated its niftiness in doing everyday things such as picking up pegs from a pegboard, manipulating balls and holding wine glasses.

Results from the tests suggest that the field of body augmentation could extend human capabilities and capacity, but Clode wants the wearable technology to be as accessible and inclusive as possible.

“We are also really excited about potential opportunities of using the thumb to enhance productivity in work settings, especially those that are relying on their hand’s manual dexterity in order to accomplish their work,” said Professor Tamar Makin of the cognitive neuroscience department at UC.

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