Metal Gear Solid has proved to be the inspiration for the production of a bionic arm. UK-based company Open Bionics and Konami have teamed up to create a bionic arm that centres around the character Venom Snake’s arm from Metal Gear Solid V and it has been made for a UK-based gamer called Daniel Melville who was born without a hand.
Open Bionics rely on using 3D printing technology to make bionic arms for amputees and the “Venom Snake” bionic arm has been specifically designed for below elbow amputees and clips onto Open Bionics’ Hero Arm which works as a multi-grip bionic arm – Invader reports.
‘Unbelievable’ bionic arm
For Melville, the bionic arm was a wish come true and the fact that he could have Snake’s arm made it extra special for the Metal Gear Solid fan.
Providing his reaction to the arm, Melville was left almost lost for words.
He said: “This is unbelievable. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted from a bionic arm.
“I’m an avid gamer and love Metal Gear Solid so much, and to actually have Snake’s arm in real life is just insane.” – Melville for OpenBionics.com
How much will it cost?
The “Venom Snake” covers for the Hero Arm will be made available for many customers worldwide, but they are only supposed to be worn by children who are aged 8 years old or above. Prices start at around £599.00 ($787.08) and there are many different options for customers to choose from.
Haven’t we seen this before?
While the production of bionic limbs is pioneering technology, it is not the first time that we have seen Open Bionics successfully collaborate with a games developer to bring bionic limbs to life. Indeed, Open Bionics have previously worked with Disney to create a line of bionic arms for children. This included an Iron Man themed one with a vibrating repulsor while there was a Star Wars -based arm that lit up in a multitude of different colours. In terms of the financial arrangement of Disney’s partnership with Open Bionics, Disney gifted the royalty-free licensing to Open Bionics for its properties which helped to keep prosthetics below a certain price point. Normally, prosthetics can run into the tens of thousands of pounds.