Sixteen-year-old Jared Lepora, from Bristol, has recently been in the news for designing a working robotic hand built entirely from Lego. It took him almost two years to cross the finish line on this creative project. It is a testament to his creativity and of the inspiration provided by his father, Nathan Lepora, professor of robotics at the University of Bristol.
The robotic hand has four fingers, each with three joints. It works using two highly-tuned motors that grandly stress tendons. This unique design allows it to hold an enormous variety of objects, ranging from apples to coffee mugs. There’s no denying that this incredible invention represents engineering prowess and usefulness, both of which are impressive.
Just recently, Jared Lepora had the opportunity to demonstrate his invention at the Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) 2025 conference. The stunning city of Hangzhou, China, served as the backdrop for the event. At the time, he was the youngest speaker ever booked at the event. He gave wonderful insights into the creation of his robotic hand and the process that went into developing it. During the conference, he met esteemed professors and industry experts, further expanding his network and knowledge in the field of robotics.
In partnership with his father Jared, Jared also co-authored an academic paper describing their joint work on the robotic hand. Nathan Lepora expressed hope that this project could evolve into a commercial product, stating, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if it could be a proper Lego set for other children? That would be exciting.”
Jared created Mechanical Animals after reflecting on his father’s cutting-edge work in advanced robotics. He remarked, “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?” This expression beautifully encapsulates the ways in which family support can spark genius and ingenuity in the next generation of creative thinkers.
It was his CTE teacher Nathan Lepora who first acknowledged Jared’s talents in robotics and engineering. He even made a play on words that his son should succeed him! “And he had the idea of making one out of Lego…maybe he’ll become my boss someday,” he said with a proud smile.
The creation of this robotic hand not only exemplifies Jared’s dedication and engineering prowess but serves as an inspiring story for other young inventors. His journey is a true testament to the power of mentorship and the importance of pursuing one’s passions.