Sixteen-year-old Jared Lepora from Bristol has captured the attention of the robotics community with his impressive creation: a working robotic hand constructed entirely from Lego. Lepora spent two years developing and manufacturing the prosthetic hand. It includes two motors and tendons that interact in a novel way to resist and generate movement. The robotic hand has four fingers, and each one is controlled by three joints. This unique design allows it to pick up everything from apples to coffee mugs.
Jared’s father, Nathan Lepora, an engineering professor at the University of Bristol, made a profound impact on Jared’s path into robotics. The pair worked hand-in-hand on the production. They collaborated on an academic paper, showcasing the technological accomplishments and creativity behind the Lego prosthetic hand. Together, their creative explorations and scientific inquiry are a testament to the ingenuity that can grow from an environment nurturing curiosity, which every family deserves.
After accomplishing all of the things he’s accomplished, Jared was deserving of the invitation. He will give a keynote talk at Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) 2025 in Hangzhou, China. At only 16 years old, he was the youngest speaker ever to address this venerable event. During his presentation, Jared had the opportunity to meet prominent figures in the field, including Ken Goldberg and Professor Antonio Bicchi.
“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 expressed, reflecting on his motivation for the project.
Nathan Lepora radiated as he talked about what his son has accomplished. He said, “Just think if it ended up being made into a real Lego set that other kids could buy! That would be cool! Jared hopes to make exciting advances in the area of robotics. He hopes to inspire many more young minds to discover its wonders through playful learning, of course.”
What makes Jared’s robotic hand unique is the way it was designed. Three of its digits have retractable lanyards that greatly enhance usability. This collaborative technology further increases the dexterity and control of the hand, so the user’s hand can make contact with the broadest array of objects. Jared’s work has been turning the heads of some pretty major media outlets. Renowned media organizations such as the BBC have recognized his revolutionary impact on the field of robotics.