6 billion-dollar hand blows our minds

The BeBionic 3 is the most advanced bionic hand in the world. Nigel Ackland, who lost his right hand in an accident, shows off what it can do.

When metal smelter Nigel Ackland's right forearm was crushed in an industrial blender, he underwent six months of surgery before deciding that there was nothing to be done, and finally had his limb amputated. Then, he met up with BeBionic, who fitted him with the second version of its bionic hand; and now he's been upgraded to the new third for a four-month trial.

The BeBionic 3is a myoelectric prosthesis — that is, it interprets voluntary muscle contractions in Ackland's arm to move the fingers and rotate the wrist. The motor control is so fine that Ackland can type, grip keys and credit cards, cook and dress himself with both hands.

Watch him operate the hand in the video below, and visit the BeBionic website to see what it can do.