About
While there are currently existing “extra thumbs,” they are made as art pieces and are controlled by external buttons. Unfortunately, the main "Third Thumb" project is neither open for others to improve upon or to build for themselves. While the "third thumb" project is an extra opposable thumb, it is, at least from what I remember, controlled by a button in the users shoe.
The Dewclaw project aims to improve current concepts by creating a relatively inexpensive but functional extra thumb prosthetic that the user can control naturally via their muscle signals.
For wearers with thumbs, the Dewclaw provides an interesting delve into the concept of human augmentation with extra, non-native limbs. Traditionally, it attaches to the side of the hand opposing the user’s thumb. For users who are missing their thumb, it can be placed as a replacement thumb. For those who have their thumb or who have been born lacking a thumb, the Dewclaw will open a door to the possibility of using an extra digit almost natively, which could later be expanded to other appendages. It will be interesting to see how the brain reacts to extra limbs that it was never designed to use. It is a great gateway for those looking to experiment with prosthetics or just those who wish to become a cyborg.
