Mobius Bionics :: Robotic Prosthetic Technology for Upper-Limb Amputees

Mobius Bionics is a medical device company based in Manchester, New Hampshire, that specializes in delivering advanced robotic prosthetic technology to upper-limb amputees. The company was formed to commercialize the LUKE Arm, a highly sophisticated, modular powered prosthesis originally developed by DEKA Research and Development under DARPA’s Revolutionizing Prosthetics program. The name LUKE stands for Life Under Kinetic Evolution and represents one of the most advanced prosthetic arms brought to market. Founders and key figures include inventor Dean Kamen along with Chris Meek, and the organization leverages years of intensive research and testing conducted with nearly 100 amputees over more than 10,000 hours.

The flagship product, the LUKE Arm, is a fully integrated robotic system available in three configurations to accommodate different levels of upper-limb amputation: transradial, transhumeral, and shoulder disarticulation. In its complete shoulder-level form, the arm features up to ten powered joints, including a powered shoulder that enables users to reach overhead and behind the back—capabilities rarely found in other commercial prostheses.

The arm’s multi-articulating hand includes independent motors for the thumb, index finger, and combined middle-ring-pinky group, allowing a conforming grasp across multiple pre-programmed grip patterns. These include power grip, tool grip, fine pinch (open and closed), lateral pinch, and chuck grip. Users can achieve precise control for tasks ranging from grasping delicate objects like an egg or phone to holding tools, typing, turning doorknobs, or lifting heavier items such as gallon jugs.

Control options are notably flexible. The arm supports most industry-standard inputs including surface EMG electrodes, pressure switches, bump switches, and rocker switches, while also offering proprietary wireless inertial measurement unit (IMU) foot controls. The foot-based system interprets foot tilt like a joystick for intuitive multi-joint movement and includes a walk-detect feature that automatically disables controls during walking. Proportional speed control gives users fine command over movement speed, while a compound wrist allows combined flexion, extension, and deviation so the hand stays level during overhead or low reaches.

Additional robot-based enhancements include a tactile feedback system using a vibratory tactor in the user’s socket, optional internal batteries for extended runtime on larger configurations, and prosthetist software with a virtual reality training simulator that lets patients practice controls before the physical arm is fitted.

The LUKE Arm is supplied as a complete, ready-to-fit system that certified prosthetists can deploy without compatibility issues between components. It is rated for dust and light rain resistance, making it practical for real-world use. Weight varies by configuration (approximately 1.4 kg for radial, 3.4 kg for humeral, and 4.7 kg for shoulder). The technology aims to restore significant independence in activities of daily living, with particular emphasis on helping veterans and other amputees regain self-sufficiency in cooking, grooming, and household tasks.

The company operates with a focused team and works through a network of specialized prosthetic providers, including partners such as Next Step Bionics & Prosthetics, Biodesigns, Handspring, Arm Dynamics, and the not-for-profit SoldierStrong for veteran access. While a relatively small entity, Mobius Bionics has positioned the LUKE Arm as a transformative step beyond conventional myoelectric or body-powered devices by integrating high degrees of freedom, advanced sensing, and user-centric control architecture.