Skip to main content

Third Thumb is the 3D-printed prosthesis you didn’t know you needed until now

Want to look like a cyborg from some dystopian sci-fi movie about survivors in a post-apocalyptic nuclear wasteland? Then you will probably want to check out this awesome 3D-printing prosthetics project from Dani Clode, a graduate student at London’s Royal College of Art (RCA). Clode developed a functional prosthetic third thumb that is capable of carrying out an impressive range of motions designed to extend the wearer’s abilities.

“The Third Thumb is a 3D-printed thumb extension for your hand, controlled by your feet,” Clode told Digital Trends. “The Third Thumb investigates the relationship between the body and prosthetic technology in new ways. It is part tool, part experience, and part self-expression; a model by which we better understand human response to artificial extensions.”

Recommended Videos

The thumb’s 3D parts are connected using a Bowden cable system, similar to a bike brake, that is made of Teflon tubing and wire. “3D printing is the perfect medium for this project, as it enables quick prototyping, customized designs for various hand sizes, and one-off production,” Clode said.

Controllable Third Thumb lets wearers extend their natural abilities

The prosthesis’ motors are controlled via two pressure sensors retrofitted into the wearer’s shoes and receives its instructions via Bluetooth. Clode said she chose foot control for the project because she was inspired by the already strong connection between our hands and feet in various well-established products — such as driving a car, using a sewing machine, or playing the piano. The pressure sensors are designed to give plenty of control over the thumb, with one sensor controlling the flexion and extension, and the other controlling the thumb’s adduction and abduction. The results combine to create the kind of dynamic movement we would expect from, well, a regular thumb.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

“The Third Thumb still needs more motor development before it could be commercialized,” Clode said. “The battery and motors are always the challenge with small wearables. I think it is a really unique product though, and it would be really interesting to develop it to that stage. The goal for the Third Thumb is to create a catalyst for society to consider human extension, framed in an approachable, accessible design. Success would be a widespread social engagement with The Third Thumb — from a jewelry designer to a falcon handler to a tattoo artist to a toddler. The more people who experience it, the better.”

Between this and some of the other awesome augmented human projects we have seen as of late, it seems the cyborg world really is no longer limited to science fiction.

Luke Dormehl
Former Digital Trends Contributor
I'm a UK-based tech writer covering Cool Tech at Digital Trends. I've also written for Fast Company, Wired, the Guardian…
Honda, Nissan in merger talks to compete with Tesla, Chinese EV rivals, reports say
honda nissan merger 2025 prologue 3 672e5d587096e 0b5d0e

Honda and Nissan, Japan’s second- and third-largest automakers, are holding merger talks to create a structure that would enable them to better withstand fierce competition from the likes of Tesla and Chinese electric vehicle (EV) rivals, according to reports.

News agency Nikkei first reported that the two companies were holding merger talks to determine how they could cooperate more closely on technology. According to Reuters, the talks aim to set up an umbrella holding company and not necessarily merging the two companies together.

Read more
GM recalls 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EVs for being too quiet
Front three quarter view of the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV.

Standards and regulations regarding the sounds produced by vehicles are usually associated with annoyingly loud mufflers, honking, or even alarms.

But when it comes to the sounds coming from a number of new 2025 Chevrolet Equinox electric vehicles (EVs), General Motors believes the problem is that they're actually not loud enough.

Read more
Ram postpones electric pickup to 2026 as Ramcharger plug-in hybrid takes the limelight
ram pickup postponed 2590768 picwrevwfy xlarge

It seems to be yet another sign that hybrids are leading the charge forward as sales of electric vehicles (EVs) slow.

Giant auto group Stellantis is reshuffling the planned launches of two much-awaited Ram models. The brand’s first electric pickup truck has been postponed to 2026, while the Ramcharger plug-in hybrid (PHEV) will take center stage next year.

Read more