Sixteen-year-old Jared Lepora from Bristol is an up-and-coming rising star in the world of robotics. He created a working Lego robotic hand as a functional prototype! From what we understand, it took him almost two years to finish this extraordinarily ambitious project. It represents his technical prowess and his creative zeal.
Jared’s robotic hand includes four fingers, each with three joints, giving him an impressive range of motion. The hand’s tendons are controlled by two high-torque motors. This design gives it a unique ability to gracefully sweep a diverse array of objects, including fruits and cups. Jared channeled his passion for robotics into this hands-on creation. His father, Nathan Lepora, a professor of robotics at the University of Bristol, was an integral figure in mentoring him during the process.
Their interdisciplinary work resulted in a co-authored academic paper between the two — on their prototype robotic hand. Jared exhibited their work at the Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) 2025 conference in Hangzhou, China. He made history as the youngest speaker at the event, where he shared insights on his innovative design and its potential applications.
Jared expressed hope that his Lego robotic hand could be developed into a proper Lego set for other children to build and learn from. This vision dovetails nicely with his wish to motivate other tech professionals and future generations to use their imagination and creativity in new ways.
Wearing a tuxedo at an event organized by his school, Jared is just one example of the promise bubbling up all around our new robotics field. His outstanding achievement bears testimony to his commitment and determination. It speaks to the nurturing ecosystem that was established in part due to his father’s knowledge.
