Sept. 7 (UPI) — A 14-year-old aspiring engineer in New Jersey used a 3D printer to create a prosthetic hand for a friend who is missing multiple fingers on one hand.
Sammy Salvano, 14, of Medford, said he spent most of the summer designing and 3D-printing the prosthetic hand for his friend, Ewan Kirby.
Kirby said Salvano’s invention allowed him to pick up his mother’s car keys for the first time.
The homemade device offered a low-cost alternative to commercial prosthetics, which can cost between $3,000 and $30,000.
Sharon Salvano, Sammy’s mother, said the boy has had an inventive streak for his entire life.
Salvano, who is entering the eighth grade, said he hopes to attend Drexel University and pursue a career in engineering.