We've seen 3-D printing do a lot of neat and revolutionary things so far. However, this might be the coolest and most heartwarming product yet.
Liam Porter, a 7-year-old boy from Augusta, Ga. recently got a new prosthetic arm. What's special about this one is that it was not only made with a 3-D printer, but it is also modeled to look like the limb of an Imperial Stormtrooper from Star Wars, The Augusta Chronicle first reported.
Porter, who was born without part of his left arm, received his new prosthetic on Jan. 10 the only way a Star Wars fan could, by having a couple of Stormtroopers from Georgia's 501st Legion, a Stormtrooper cosplay group, surprise him with the new prosthetic at Regal 20 Cinemas in Augusta. In typical 7-year-old fashion, all Porter could say was "Cool." A video of Porter's surprise shows him trying on the arm for the first time and using it to flex and hold a cup.
Porter received the arm as a result of participating in e-NABLE, an online community that works toward bringing free prosthetic limbs to people all over the world. He was matched with fellow Georgia resident John Peterson through the program, who created the Stormtrooper-inspired arm using a 3-D printer. E-Nable works with professionals to develop the designs, which are free for anyone to download online.
"I'm sure he'll be the coolest kid in the class," said Peterson in the video.
Not only are 3-D-printed prosthetics possibly more accessible, but they can also be much less expensive. A prosthetic hand created using a 3-D printer might cost $50 as opposed to $9,000 for a typical prosthetic hand, Peterson said via The Augusta Chronicle. It took about three months and $300 to build this arm, which can be adjusted as Porter grows.
"He's managed to make it through, but this will make things a little easier," said Porter's mother Ryan in the video.
[H/T People]
