TIME's Best Inventions of 2008

The Other 49 Best Inventions

Touch Bionics

14. The Bionic Hand

Article Tools

The world's first commercially available bionic hand took many hands many years to develop. Created by Touch Bionics, it's multi-articulating, meaning each finger has its own motor. Artificial hands are often hooklike, limited to simple open and close gestures, but the iLimb has more subtle capabilities, like a credit-card grip for grasping narrow objects. It also has a power hold for larger things like coffee mugs. Research on the device began in the United Kingdom's national health system back in the 1960s. Now hundreds of people around the world are using it. Next up for Touch Bionics? A prosthetic wrist unit, prosthetic fingers and a full bionic arm.

View the full list for "TIME's Best Inventions of 2008"

Cast Your Vote

Gadget of the Year

Which gadget is most useful or influential? Browse the nominees and cast your vote.

Invention of the Year

The Retail DNA Test

Your genome used to be a closed book. Now a simple, affordable test can shed new light on everything from your intelligence to your biggest health risks. Say hello to your dna — if you dare

Video

The Best Inventions of the Year

Run, ride, swim, and sing through some of TIME Magazine's best inventions of the year

Shopping

Tech Buyer's Guide

Gear up with these gizmos for the home, office, playroom, and pocket. Batteries not included