Sixteen-year-old Jared Lepora from Bristol has gained attention for his remarkable creation: a working robotic hand made entirely from Lego. Lepora spent innumerable hours on this labor of love over the course of two years. His dad, Nathan Lepora, a biomimetic robotics professor at the University of Bristol, was an especially critical resource through it all. Whether grasping fruits or a cup, this newfangled hand’s grasping flexibility illustrates a practical versatility.
Jared’s robot hand has four fingers with three joints on each finger to support delicate motions. The soft device was powered by two motors, and movement was controlled by tendons that mimicked the movements of human muscles. This unique blend of artistry and technology has wowed his neighbors, his hometown community, and now the world.
At only 16 years old, he was the youngest speaker ever at the event. He wowed the audience by talking about his mind-blowing robotic hand and promising future uses for it. His attendance at the conference made it possible for him to rub elbows with some of the best names in the biz, making his experience that much more valuable.
Jared stood out on the robotics convention floor in his black outfit and white lanyard. His dad, Nathan Lepora, was there by his side at the event. A photograph from the event captures him smiling while showcasing his Lego hand, reflecting the pride and excitement he feels about his achievement.
“My dad specializes in making advanced robot hands and I thought these principles were always really cool, so why not make it out of Lego?” – Jared Lepora
For both father and son, the collaboration goes past the process of creating the robotic hand. Collectively, they authored an academic paper explaining its design and functionality. Nathan Lepora was really excited about Jared’s project, saying that it has the potential to inspire other kids to do the same.
“Wouldn’t it be amazing if it could be a proper Lego set for other children? That would be exciting,” – Nathan Lepora
Jared’s creative work denotes a deeper achievement in the field of educational robotics, where play and learning are inextricably linked. The idea of transforming his creation into a commercial Lego set could inspire countless young minds to explore engineering and robotics.
