What is the name of your organization?
lifeandlimb.ai
What is the name of your solution?
bionicli
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Affordable, accessible, and aspiration prosthesis empowering people with limb difference.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Delhi, India
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
India
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
We are addressing the lack of access to functional, affordable prosthetic hands for upper-limb amputees, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, over 10 million people live with upper-limb loss, with the majority residing in underserved regions where prosthetic solutions are either unavailable, prohibitively expensive, or lack the functionality required for meaningful daily use. In India alone, there are an estimated 500,000 upper-limb amputees, with less than 5% having access to any form of prosthetic care. Existing devices are often either cosmetic or imported myoelectric hands priced beyond reach, creating a massive accessibility gap. Key contributing factors include high costs, poor local availability, lack of trained professionals, and devices not suited to users’ daily needs and environments. Our solution directly addresses these barriers by providing a cost-effective, easy-to-use bionic hand that leverages intuitive EMG control and is designed for durability and use in challenging conditions.
What is your solution?
Our solution is an affordable, intuitive bionic hand designed for upper-limb amputees in low-resource settings. The device is a lightweight, battery-powered prosthetic hand controlled by muscle signals (EMG) from the user’s residual limb. It uses custom-designed electronics and sensors to detect muscle contractions, allowing users to open and close the hand or switch between grips with natural, easy-to-learn movements. The hand is built with durable, locally serviceable materials and designed for everyday use in harsh environments. It supports modular sockets and attachments to simplify fitting and reduce cost. We also provide a mobile app for training and customization, enabling users to adapt the hand to their needs without requiring advanced clinical support. Our technology stack combines low-cost EMG sensing, embedded control systems, and user-centered design to deliver a prosthetic that’s accessible, functional, and dignified. Here's a short demo video of the hand in action: [https://youtu.be/bolgIZKSCEs?si=tFRw8IO_wum7c1lg].
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our solution directly serves upper-limb amputees in low- and middle-income countries, with an initial focus on India and South Asia. Many of these individuals are from rural or low-income urban communities and have lost limbs due to trauma, accidents, or congenital conditions. They are often underserved due to the high cost and limited availability of functional prosthetics. Most rely on cosmetic or body-powered devices that lack utility, limiting their ability to perform daily tasks, return to work, or live independently. Women and children face even greater barriers due to social stigma and poor device fit.
Our bionic hand offers an affordable, intuitive alternative that restores functional ability and confidence. It empowers users to perform tasks such as eating, writing, or lifting objects with minimal training, enabling greater independence, dignity, and participation in work and social life. By reducing cost and simplifying fitting and training, our solution makes advanced prosthetic care accessible to underserved populations who would otherwise go without.
