Photo Story

Photos: Jordan, 5, becomes youngest to get Iron Man-style bionic arm

The Hero Arm comes with up to six easy-to-select grips to help people with a variety of daily tasks.

Published: May 27, 2024 07:44 AM EST

Abhishek Bhardwaj

3 months ago

The 5-year-old Jordan Marotta with his new bionic hand.

Crestwood Country Day Camp & School

Prosthetics are a life-changing tool and bionics is aiding in changing the game for people around the globe. Jordan Marotta, at just five years of age, has become the world’s youngest recipient of a top-notch bionic arm.

The boy from Long Island, New York had been born without a left hand, but now thanks to Open Bionics’ multi-grip bionic Hero Arm he will be able to grasp objects and function normally.

The Iron Man-style arm is custom-made and 3D-printed, and it has already made a huge difference in the young one’s life.

Jordan’s mother, Ashley Marotta, says the Hero Arm gave him an ‘instant confidence boost’, according to an article by the BBC.

She says the arm makes him feel like a superhero, and like almost every child in his age group Jordan too is obsessed with superheroes.

According to the mother, Jordan had used a different prosthetic earlier but its limited functionality had been a big time problem.

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The 5-year-old is super-excited about his new bionic hand
One of the first things Jordan wanted to do after getting the new bionic hand was to show it to his friends at school. The school community too didn't disappoint, labeling him, "Crestwood’s very own SUPERHERO."
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The Open Bionics' Hero Arm
The Hero Arm from Open Bionics comes with over 50 swappable magnetic covers, making it an extension of the wearer's personality, according to the company. Every Hero Arm includes one set of free covers, the company says, and adds that people are free to choose from a wide range of styles for adults and children. They can also choose to wear the arm without covers for extra breathability, with the trademark VentTech liner and frame design helping to keep the arm cool.
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The bionic arms' speciality
The Hero Arm by Open Bionics is an advanced, lightweight, 3D-printed bionic arm, with multi-grip functionality and empowering aesthetics. It comes with up to six easy-to-select grips to help people with a variety of daily tasks. The arm’s quick-rotate wrist can spin 180°, making it suitable for a wide range of tasks. It can also be purchased in both small and large size wrists, adding to the customizability.
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It is easy to use and comes with greater adjustment features
As the limbs keep on expanding and contracting throughout the day, the Hero Arm has BOA fit adjustment dial, through which the user can tighten or loosen the frame and find their perfect fit. The arm’s liner is printed from a soft, flexible elastomer, which allows it to conform to the shape of the wearer’s arm. The prosthesis is designed to be fully removable, so that it can be taken out for washing or periods when there is no use for it.
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Adjusting to the Hero Arm is an easy process
Since receiving the bionic arm, Jordan has been able to grab his scooter handles and go for a ride. The Hero Arm uses sensors that detect muscular contractions and turn them into bionic hand movements. It took some time for the young child to get used to the non-invasive prosthetic arm, but he soon adjusted to it, according to an article by the New York Post.
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Size and capability of the bionic arm
According to Open Bionics, the bionic arm comes in four different sizes so that those needing it can find the most perfect fit for themselves. The weight ranges from 227 grams to a maximum of 336 gram. It can operate in temperatures between 23 degree Fahrenheit (-5 °C) to 122 degree Fahrenheit (50 °C). It has a Lithium-ion battery of 2600 mAH capacity.
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Freeze Mode and availability
The Hero Arm also comes with a Freeze mode, which can temporarily lock the position of the hand and disable the muscle control. This allows the wearer to freeze the hand with an object held, without worrying about accidentally sending a muscle signal and releasing the grip. Engineered and manufactured in the UK, it is now available in over 800 locations in the USA, UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand for people with a below-elbow limb difference.