Sixteen-year-old Jared Lepora from Bristol has made headlines with his innovative creation: a functional robotic hand built entirely from Lego. After approximately two years of work, Jared developed an exquisite design in the shape of four fingers. Each finger features three joints, with two motors using tendons to actuate them. Jared’s superb accomplishment is a testament to his exceptional engineering talent. It spotlights the powerful impact of his father, Nathan Lepora, a robotics professor at the University of Bristol, who supported him all the way through the process.
Jared’s journey began with a fascination for robotics, inspired by his father’s work in the field. He expressed his motivation stating, “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 took a unique route that combined his interest in robotics and engineering to an early love. In doing so, he created an innovative and convenient product.
The robotic hand’s dexterous manipulation of an apple, peach, ball, coffee mug, and more proves just how versatile this robotic hand can be. In appreciation of his exemplary service, Jared was awarded an invitation to present at the 2025 Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) conference. The 2019 event will be held in Hangzhou, China. This upcoming prestigious event will make him the youngest speaker ever in attendance.
At the conference, Jared provided an in-depth look at his winning design. He further supplemented this with a proactive engagement with the foremost experts at the idea of robotics. His father highlighted the potential of their creation, stating, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if it could be a proper Lego set for other children? That would be exciting.” This ambition is evidence of their desire for the project to nurture a new generation of young engineers for years to come.
In addition to his hands-on work, Jared and Nathan collaborated to write an academic paper detailing the development and functionality of the robotic hand. It is our hope that through this publication we can continue that critical discussion about the exciting developments in robotics, especially as it relates to education.
Jared’s achievement has drawn a remarkable response from educators and industry leaders, inspiring conversations about the potential robotics education and workforce of the future. His innovative spirit and thoughtful application of engineering principles make him an inspiration to his peers and aspiring inventors.
