Open Bionics
A UK medical-technology company developing affordable, 3D-printed myoelectric prosthetic arms.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Open Bionics is a United Kingdom medical-technology company focused on accessible bionic prosthetic limbs for people with below-elbow amputations. Founded in Bristol in 2014 by robotics engineer Joel Gibbard and journalist and social-impact advocate Samantha Payne, the company grew out of Gibbard’s Open Hand project, which explored the use of 3D printing to make functional prosthetic hands more affordable and easier to personalize. The company’s principal product is the Hero Arm, a myoelectric upper-limb prosthesis that uses muscle signals to control servo-driven finger movement. Rather than attempting to hide the prosthesis, Open Bionics presents it as a visible piece of assistive technology that can be personalized through decorative covers and themed designs. The arm is manufactured to the user’s measurements and is designed to support multiple everyday grips, including pinching, grasping, a high-five, fist bump, and thumbs-up. Other reported features include wrist rotation, vibration-based feedback, adjustable fitting, ventilation, and interchangeable magnetic covers. Open Bionics has positioned affordability, customization, and user identity as central elements of its proposition. The Hero Arm combines 3D-printed construction with electronic control and a companion mobile application that provides training and personalization functions. Its designs have also been associated with popular culture through collaborations involving Disney, Alita: Battle Angel, and Konami’s Metal Gear franchise. These partnerships helped frame prosthetic technology as expressive and aspirational, particularly for children and young adults. The company has received recognition for engineering and social impact, including the 2015 James Dyson Award in the United Kingdom, Tech4Good’s 2015 Accessibility Award, and a 2016 Bloomberg Business Innovators award. In 2018, its founders were named Europe’s Hottest Startup Founders at the Europa Awards. Gibbard and Payne were appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire in 2020 for services to innovation, engineering, and technology. Open Bionics has expanded beyond its original UK base. By late 2023, it had established or supported clinical locations in several United States cities, including Denver, Los Angeles, Orlando, Austin, Chicago, and New York City. It has also worked with the Superhumans Center in Ukraine to provide bionic arms to Ukrainian soldiers affected by the war. In 2025, the company introduced the Hero Pro and Hero RGD models, described as wireless and waterproof devices that can continue operating when detached from the wearer. Open Bionics remains a privately held specialist in upper-limb prosthetics, with its business centered on clinical fitting, prosthetic hardware, digital support, and user customization.
History
Open Bionics originated in Bristol from the Open Hand project developed by Joel Gibbard while he was studying robotics at the University of Plymouth. The project investigated whether 3D printing and relatively simple robotic mechanisms could reduce the cost and complexity of prosthetic hands. Gibbard’s work attracted the attention of Samantha Payne, a journalist who had interviewed him while reporting on social-impact subjects in Bristol. Payne subsequently became interested in applying the project to a broader social mission, and the two founded Open Bionics in 2014. The company’s early direction was shaped by the limitations of conventional upper-limb prosthetics, which can be expensive, difficult to obtain, and visually designed to imitate a natural limb. Open Bionics instead developed a functional myoelectric arm intended for people with below-elbow amputations and promoted the device as an expressive technology. Its approach combined custom 3D printing with muscle-signal control, allowing sensors to detect residual muscle activity and activate motorized finger movements. The resulting Hero Arm became the company’s central product. Each arm is produced to the wearer’s measurements, while software and electronic controls support several grip patterns and gestures. Reported features include six grip types, a rotating wrist, vibration feedback, a ventilated liner, and an adjustable fit that can accommodate changes in limb size. Decorative covers attach magnetically and can be exchanged, allowing users to choose a more conventional finish or a design associated with entertainment franchises and personal identity. A companion Sidekick application, developed with Calvium, provides interactive training guidance and personalization controls. Open Bionics built visibility through awards and partnerships. In 2015, it received the UK James Dyson Award for innovative engineering and Tech4Good’s Accessibility Award. It also announced a collaboration with Disney to create superhero-themed prosthetic arms for young amputees. The company received Bloomberg Business Innovators recognition in 2016, and in 2018 Gibbard and Payne were named Europe’s Hottest Startup Founders at the Europa Awards. Popular-culture collaborations became an important part of the company’s public identity. In 2019, Open Bionics worked with James Cameron and 20th Century Fox to provide Tilly Lockey, a young double amputee, with Alita-inspired Hero Arms connected with the London premiere of Alita: Battle Angel. In 2020, it collaborated with Konami on Venom Snake covers based on Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. These projects reinforced Open Bionics’ effort to portray prostheses as desirable, customizable devices rather than objects users should conceal. The company raised Series A funding in January 2019 from investors including Foresight Williams Technology EIS Fund, Ananda Impact Ventures, Downing Ventures, and Williams Advanced Engineering. The funding supported the development and expansion of the business, although Open Bionics remains privately held. In 2020, both founders were appointed MBEs for services to innovation, engineering, and technology. Open Bionics subsequently expanded its clinical reach. By late 2023, its US network included locations in Denver, Los Angeles, Orlando, Austin, Chicago, and New York City. The company also collaborated with Superhumans Center in Ukraine to fit Ukrainian soldiers with bionic Hero Arms during the continuing war. In 2025, it launched the Hero Pro and Hero RGD models, described as wireless and waterproof and able to function while detached from the wearer. Open Bionics’ development therefore spans hardware engineering, clinical delivery, software support, customization, and partnerships intended to improve the social acceptance and practical accessibility of upper-limb prosthetics.
- 2025
New Hero Arm models
[1]Open Bionics launches the Hero Pro and Hero RGD models with wireless and waterproof capabilities.
- 2023
US clinical expansion
[1]The company expands its clinical presence across several major US cities.
- 2020
Founders receive MBEs
[1]Gibbard and Payne are recognized for services to innovation, engineering, and technology.
- 2019
Series A financing
[1]Open Bionics closes a Series A round backed by specialist technology and impact investors.
- 2015
Disney partnership announced
[1]Open Bionics and Disney announce a collaboration on superhero-themed prosthetic arms for young amputees.
- 2015
Engineering and accessibility awards
[1]The company wins the UK James Dyson Award and Tech4Good’s Accessibility Award.
- 2014
Open Bionics is founded
[1]Joel Gibbard and Samantha Payne establish Open Bionics in Bristol after the Open Hand project explored 3D-printed prosthetic hands.
Products and positioning
Affordable, accessible, customizable, and expressive bionic prosthetics
Myoelectric upper-limb prosthesis
Hero Arm
The Hero Arm is Open Bionics’ principal bionic prosthesis for users with below-elbow amputations. It uses muscle sensors to control servo-actuated finger movement and supports multiple grip patterns and gestures. The arm is 3D printed to the user’s measurements and includes features such as wrist rotation, vibration feedback, magnetic interchangeable covers, an adjustable fit, and a ventilated liner. Its Sidekick app provides interactive training and personalization functions.
Bionic upper-limb prosthesis · 2025
Hero Pro
The Hero Pro is one of the newer Hero Arm models introduced by Open Bionics in 2025. It is described as a wireless and waterproof bionic hand that can operate when detached from the wearer, extending the product family’s emphasis on practical use, durability, and independent operation.
Bionic upper-limb prosthesis · 2025
Hero RGD
The Hero RGD is a 2025 Hero Arm model described as wireless and waterproof. Like the Hero Pro, it is designed to remain functional when detached from the wearer, representing a newer generation of Open Bionics’ upper-limb prosthetic technology.
Prosthetic accessory
Hero Arm interchangeable covers
Magnetically attached covers allow Hero Arm users to change the appearance of the prosthesis. Open Bionics has used the cover system for personalized finishes and licensed or collaborative designs, including superhero, Alita, and Venom Snake themes.
Prosthetic support software
Sidekick App
The Sidekick App, developed with Calvium, supports Hero Arm users through interactive training guidance and personalization controls. It forms part of Open Bionics’ broader combination of prosthetic hardware, digital assistance, and user education.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Superhumans Center Ukraine fitting program
Ukraine
Open Bionics collaborated with Ukrainian charity Superhumans Center to fit Ukrainian soldiers with bionic Hero Arms during the war caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Outcome. The collaboration extended Open Bionics’ prosthetic services into a humanitarian and rehabilitation context.
- 2020Venom Snake Hero Arm covers
International
Open Bionics and Konami created Hero Arm covers based on Venom Snake from Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
Outcome. The collaboration extended the company’s entertainment-based customization program into video-game culture.
- 2019Alita-inspired Hero Arms
United Kingdom
Open Bionics worked with James Cameron and 20th Century Fox to provide Tilly Lockey with Alita-inspired Hero Arms for the London premiere of Alita: Battle Angel.
Outcome. The project connected bionic prosthetics with a prominent film launch and demonstrated the potential for highly visible, character-inspired personalization.
- 2015Disney superhero prosthetics collaboration
United Kingdom · International
Open Bionics and Disney collaborated on superhero-themed prosthetic arms intended to give young amputees more expressive and aspirational options.
Outcome. The partnership increased public visibility for customizable pediatric prosthetics and reinforced Open Bionics’ identity-led design approach.
Brand decisions
2025
Introduce Hero Pro and Hero RGDGeneration changeBackground
Open Bionics continued developing the Hero Arm family beyond its original product configuration.
Action taken
The company launched the Hero Pro and Hero RGD, described as wireless, waterproof, and functional when detached from the wearer.
Aftermath
The new models broadened the Hero Arm range with additional durability and operating features.
2023
Expand clinical presence in the United StatesStrategyBackground
Open Bionics sought to make its prosthetic services available to more patients outside the United Kingdom.
Action taken
By late 2023, the company had expanded its US clinical presence to Denver, Los Angeles, Orlando, Austin, Chicago, and New York City.
Aftermath
The expansion increased the company’s direct clinical reach in the US market.
2019
Raise Series A financing for growthStrategyBackground
Open Bionics sought outside financing as it developed and commercialized affordable bionic arms.
Action taken
The company raised a Series A round led by Foresight Williams Technology EIS Fund, Ananda Impact Ventures, and Downing Ventures, with participation from Williams Advanced Engineering and other investors.
Aftermath
The financing supported the company’s continued product and market development; Open Bionics remained privately held.
Series A funding. (January 2019)
Recent events
- 2025
Open Bionics launches Hero Pro and Hero RGD[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Open Bionics introduced new Hero Arm models described as wireless, waterproof, and capable of operating when detached from the wearer.
- 2023
Open Bionics expands its US clinical presence[1]
Other
By late 2023, the company had expanded its US clinical presence to locations including Denver, Los Angeles, Orlando, Austin, Chicago, and New York City.
- 2023
Open Bionics works with Superhumans Center in Ukraine[1]
Campaign
The company collaborated with Ukrainian charity Superhumans Center to fit Ukrainian soldiers with bionic Hero Arms during the war resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- 2023
Open Bionics collaborates with Superhumans Center in Ukraine[1]
Campaign · Other
Open Bionics worked with the Ukrainian charity Superhumans Center to fit bionic Hero Arms for Ukrainian soldiers affected by the invasion.
- 2020
Open Bionics founders appointed MBEs[1]
Leadership change
Joel Gibbard and Samantha Payne were appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire for services to innovation, engineering, and technology.
- 2020
Open Bionics collaborates with Konami on Venom Snake covers[1]
Campaign · Product launch
Open Bionics and Konami created Hero Arm covers inspired by Venom Snake from Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
- 2020
Open Bionics founders receive MBEs[1]
Leadership change · Other
Joel Gibbard and Samantha Payne were appointed MBEs for services to innovation, engineering and technology.
- 2019
Open Bionics raises Series A funding[1]
Other
The company announced a Series A round led by Foresight Williams Technology EIS Fund, Ananda Impact Ventures, and Downing Ventures, with participation from Williams Advanced Engineering and other investors.
- 2019
Open Bionics and Alita: Battle Angel provide themed arms for Tilly Lockey[1]
Campaign · Product launch
James Cameron, 20th Century Fox, and Open Bionics worked together to provide double amputee Tilly Lockey with Alita-inspired Hero Arms for the London premiere of Alita: Battle Angel.
- 2019
Open Bionics closes Series A financing[1]
Other
The company raised $5.9 million in Series A funding from Foresight Williams Technology EIS Fund, Ananda Impact Ventures, Downing Ventures and other participants, including Williams Advanced Engineering.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/open-bionics · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled