Sixteen-year-old Jared Lepora from Bristol has captured attention in the robotics community with his innovative creation: a fully functional robotic hand constructed entirely from Lego bricks. Jared has spent almost two years championing this project, an incredible feat of his brilliant ingenuity. His diligence certainly did not go unrewarded, as he was selected as the youngest speaker at the prestigious Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) 2025 conference in Hangzhou, China.
Jared’s new robotic prosthetic has four fingers. Each finger has three knuckles, allowing it to close around an assortment of objects, from berries to coffee mugs. Two high torque motors power the amazing function and dexterity of IKINEMA Origami hand. So imaginative and so technically brilliant, they run on tendons. For his father, Nathan Lepora, a robotics professor at the University of Bristol, helped steer him through the entire project.
My father, who makes highly sophisticated robot hands. I always liked those principles growing up – I thought they were the neatest thing – so I wanted to make one out of Lego,” Jared said about why he pursued the project. His father shared that enthusiasm, saying he hopes the work will spark others’ imaginations. Nathan Lepora, said, Would it be cool to make a real Lego set to inspire other kids? Wouldn’t that be awesome!
Along with building the robotic hand, Jared became co-author of an academic paper on the topic with his father. This collaboration marks the unique intersection between two organizations’ passions for robotics and innovation. The young innovator recently exhibited his invention at a national robotics convention. As he smiled proudly next to his impressive Lego hand, we noticed he was wearing a school blazer with a very smart-looking white event lanyard.
At IROS 2025, Jared will have an opportunity to interact with leading professors and industry leaders. This event will significantly deepen his understanding and contacts in the field. His journey from a basic concept to a physical product is a great example of how powerful youth imagination and innovation can be when paired with technology.