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Book 26, Question 82 · Video

How did a 14-year-old build a robotic hand from simple parts?

Video · 1:49 · Crafty Clover explains, from A Million Whys Book 26

Easton LaChappelle of Colorado was fourteen when he made a robotic hand out of LEGO pieces, fishing line, and electrical tape, so he could learn how it worked. At a science fair, he met a young girl who used a very expensive prosthetic arm. He decided to design a cheaper one. His low-cost arm used 3D printing and motors to move fingers.

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What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How did a 14-year-old build a robotic hand from simple parts?

The Big Idea

A 14-year-old built a robotic hand! He used LEGO, fishing line, and tape. Then he did something even bigger.

Simple Parts

Step one: Simple Parts. Easton LaChappelle of Colorado was fourteen when he made a robotic hand out of LEGO pieces, fishing line, and electrical tape. He wanted to learn how it worked.

A Meeting

Step two: A Meeting. At a science fair, he met a young girl who used a very expensive prosthetic arm. He decided to design a cheaper one.

Low-Cost Arm

Step three: Low-Cost Arm. His low-cost arm used 3D printing and motors to move the fingers. It helped show that good designs can be affordable.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Line pulls fingers. Motors move it. Printed parts form it. Fingers curl.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Fishing line acts like the tendons that pull your fingers. He was fourteen. Cheaper arms help people. 3D printing helped.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Trace your hand on paper and cut it out. Tape straw pieces along each finger. Thread string through them as tendons. Pull the strings. Watch the fingers curl!

Outro

A 14-year-old named Easton LaChappelle built a robotic hand from LEGO, fishing line, and tape, then designed a low-cost 3D-printed arm after meeting a girl with an expensive prosthetic. Science is amazing! Keep wondering and keep exploring! Share what you learned with someone at home, and see what they think! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!

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