Imagine putting on a prosthetic arm and it just works — no fiddling, no calibration, no learning curve. That's what INPUT aimed to build. Current prosthetic control technology is over 4 decades old and makes advanced robotic hands frustratingly hard to use. This project took lab-proven signal processing and turned it into a wearable, clinically tested system that lets amputees control a prosthetic hand naturally, right after donning it.
Upper limb amputees face a frustrating reality: the most advanced prosthetic hands exist, but the control systems to operate them are over 4 decades old. This means complex setup, lengthy training, and daily frustration — leading many users to abandon their prostheses entirely. Prosthetic companies and rehab clinics need control technology that works intuitively from the moment a patient puts the device on.
The project built improved electronics, algorithms, and training methods for intuitive prosthetic arm control — a 'don and play' system. Key deliverables include an activity monitoring system that tracks prosthetic use in daily life tasks, along with 8 total deliverables covering signal acquisition, processing, and clinical validation.
If you are a prosthetics manufacturer struggling with customer complaints about complex setup and training for upper limb devices — this project developed a 'don and play' control system tested to TRL 8 that eliminates lengthy calibration. It was built by 7 partners including Otto Bock, a market leader, and validated through iterative clinical tests with real amputees throughout the entire project.
If you are a rehabilitation clinic spending excessive therapist hours training amputees on prosthetic control — this project built intuitive signal processing and optimized end-user training methods that dramatically simplify the learning process. The system was clinically tested with amputees throughout 4 years of development across 5 countries.
If you are a wearable electronics company looking for reliable, cost-effective biosignal acquisition technology — this project developed improved electronics and algorithms for real-time muscle signal processing. The technology was validated from lab to near-commercial readiness at TRL 8 with 3 industry partners in the consortium.
Based on available project data, specific licensing costs are not disclosed. The coordinator is Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH, one of the world's largest prosthetics companies, which suggests commercial integration paths exist. Interested parties would need to negotiate directly with the consortium.
The project targeted TRL 8, meaning the technology was designed for system-complete and qualified status. It was built on existing upper limb prosthetic hardware to minimize development time. With Otto Bock as coordinator, the path to manufacturing scale is already established through their existing production infrastructure.
The project involved 7 partners across 5 countries with 3 industry and 4 university partners. IP is likely shared among consortium members under H2020 rules. Otto Bock as coordinator and primary commercial partner would be the logical entry point for licensing discussions.
The project relied on frequent end-user testing with amputees throughout the entire project timeline. A demo deliverable — an activity monitoring system — tracked prosthetic use in daily life tasks. Clinical tests were iterative, ensuring market viability at each development stage.
Current routine prosthetic control technology is more than 4 decades old. INPUT replaced this with improved electronics, algorithms, and training that enable intuitive 'don and play' use. The system builds on successful FP7 projects AMYO and MYOSENS that proved the underlying signal technology.
The core innovations — reliable biosignal acquisition, real-time signal processing, and cost-effective electronics — have potential beyond prosthetics. Based on available project data, the immediate focus was upper limb prostheses, but the signal processing platform could apply to other muscle-controlled devices.
The INPUT consortium is commercially strong with 7 partners from 5 countries (AT, CH, DE, NL, UK) and a 43% industry ratio. It is led by Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH, one of the world's leading prosthetics manufacturers, which signals serious commercial intent. The 3 industry partners paired with 4 university partners cover the entire value chain from research through clinical testing to manufacturing. This is not an academic exercise — it was structured to produce a marketable medical product.
Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH (Austria) — a global prosthetics leader. SciTransfer can facilitate a direct introduction to the project team.
Want to explore licensing or integration of this prosthetic control technology? SciTransfer connects you directly with the research team — contact us for a tailored briefing.
