Would you like to have a bionic third arm?
Polls
8th March 2023
IN these pages we’ve featured plenty of stories of people who’ve lost an arm and had to have a prosthetic replacement. But now one scientist is saying that even people with two working arms could still use a third one.
Professor Silvestro Micera believes that third-arm control is no longer a thing of the future. He made a presentation last week at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, titled From Science Fiction to Reality: Can We Control More Than Two Arms?
He thinks that in some jobs or situations, having an extra arm could be very useful, allowing people to carry out more complicated tasks, hold more equipment, or just do their job more efficiently. Our first thought was that we could play PlayStation and still drink a cup of tea, but we’re sure there are many more useful situations.
For instance, a surgeon might be able to work faster and save more lives if they have an extra arm, rather than having to ask an assistant to hold something or move something out of the way.
What do you think? Would a third arm be handy, or too weird? Take part in our poll and let us know what you think!
15 Comments
uniquestar · 2 years ago
These special devices should only be used for people who actually need them and have one arm.
mangogirl1 · 2 years ago
I wouldn’t want to have a 3rd arm. I think I would find it too unusual and hard to get used to.
dogcat11 · 2 years ago
I think yes because having a third arm would be cool and it would make daily life and jobs so much easier. However, they should be given first to people who only have one arm
duolingo · 2 years ago
I think three arms would be hard to coordinate, and that's not how humans are meant to be.
zen_ultra · 2 years ago
This bionic arm could be very useful ; it would be a good 'helping hand'. This would also help physically challenged people with a weaker arm. At the same time, it should not be misused.
potterwolf · 2 years ago
Well there’s upsides and downsides; one upside is that you could carry more things, do things quickly like sports, school work and be able to multitask. (Like waving and writing and lifting a weight at the same time) but one downside is it may get in the way and also, they might run out for people who need them.
lavu · 2 years ago
no, i wouldn't want to have a third arm. people think it would be handy but in reality it would be quite hard to control. in addition to that, these 3d arms should be only used for people who actually need them.
0039.kapsc · 2 years ago
I think it is cool and for the people who have lost an arm due to circumstances, it could save their life
laxviji@gm · 2 years ago
NO! I don't want a bionic third arm unless I lose an arm which of course, I don't want to happen. Only people who need one should have one.
aces10 · 2 years ago
Although they could be very useful, it would take quite a while to get used to controlling a third arm, making it more of a hindrance than a help. Plus, it may look a bit odd, though this wouldn’t be a problem so much if they became more common and ‘normal’.
ramblebook · 2 years ago
No, because animals don't get not the 2 arms then why do we?🤔
raincloud0 · 2 years ago
I mean it would be cool but some people actually need the arm more than we do and also some people may misuse the arm. It can also be a bit of an inconvenience at some times too
splashy10 · 2 years ago
No no no. That would be hard to get used to and I’m perfect with two arms.
mimi365 · 2 years ago
I think it would be cool to have a third arm, but they must first be given to people actually need it. Although it is not natural for humans to have three arms and would take some getting used to🦾
unnapriya · 1 year ago
It would feel weird...