Les Baugh lost both of his arms 40 years ago during an electrical accident. Following his injury he was robbed of some very basic functions of life. No longer could Leslie put change in a vending machine or tie his own shoes.
Fast forward to 2014 and Baugh, with help from researchers at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), has received two robotic arms. He is now the first bilateral shoulder-level amputee to wear and simultaneously control two of the Laboratory’s Modular Prosthetic Limbs. Most importantly, Les Baugh, was able to operate the system by simply thinking about moving his limbs, performing a variety of tasks during a short training period.
The custom-made robotic arms needed to be fitted for Baugh.
For now the arms are left each day at the APL. Researchers hope to soon give Les Baugh and other amputees the ability to use the technology in their everyday lives.
