This large-scale study was a collaborative and interdisciplinary effort, bridging cognitive neuroscience and robotics. We’d like to thank all the researchers and participants who made this work possible. Thanks for reading! 🙏 Check out the full preprint here: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
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However, participants preferred using their hand over the Thumb in more naturalistic tasks where the Thumb’s use was optional. This suggests that factors beyond skill transfer, cognitive effort, and embodiment must be addressed for real-world adoption of these promising technologies.
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We then switched the Thumb’s controller (toes) and the body part it was worn on (right hand) to different body parts. Participants still showed complete skill transfer, suggesting Third Thumb skill isn’t limited by specific sensorimotor body mappings.
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Imagine having to relearn how to scroll or type with every new app 🤯. Our ability to transfer motor skills across tools makes modern technology usable. But can skill transfer with novel and complex technologies, like extra robotic limbs, be just as flexible?
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Can humans use artificial limbs for body augmentation as flexibly as their own hands?
🚨 Our new interdisciplinary study put this question to the test with the Third Thumb (@daniclode.bsky.social), a robotic extra digit you control with your toes!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
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