Danniell Domingo

Feeling like Iron Man? Filipinos with limb differences can now fulfill their fantasy of shooting repulsor beams through an affordable Filipino-made bionic prosthetic arm.


Instead of buying traditional prosthetic arms with a price upwards of ₱1 million, a group of college students from Rizal were able to develop one by spending ₱36,000 only.

Computer engineering students from STI College Ortigas-Cainta, namely  Aaron Sta. Ana, James Maynard Cenina, John Vincent Ponong, and Rolan Andrei Sanchez, began this innovation in 2021 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Sta. Ana, one of the developers, emphasized that they were inspired by the challenges faced during the pandemic, specifically difficulties experienced by people with limb differences.

“Naramdaman namin na sobrang hirap gumalaw noong pandemic. Kung mahirap gumalaw para sa atin, how much more yung mga fellowmen natin na merong limb difference,” Sta. Ana said during an interview on 24 Oras.

A key feature of the bionic prosthetic arm is the use of electromyography (EMG) sensors to detect muscle activity from the user.

Powered by machine learning, signals detected from the muscles will be transmitted to a microcontroller in the prosthetic arm.

It will then execute hand and finger movements depending on the user’s muscles. 

Remarkably, users can receive feedback through the touch sensors integrated in the prosthetic arm.

These sensors send vibrations to the user’s skin which can feel like buzzing or tingling, depending on the texture and pressure of the object being held or touched.

“One major problem din po sa mga prosthetic devices is yung lack of feedback sa mga user. Bale hindi po nila nararamdaman kung may nahahawakan na silang objects. So, nag-implement po kami nun sa every finger na may force sensor then magba-vibrate siya kung gaano kalakas yung hinahawakan niyang object,” Cenina, also one of the developers, said.

Through this technology, below-elbow amputees can feel more connected to their surroundings while performing their daily activities. 

They may not have a natural arm anymore, but an affordable prosthetic arm that can ‘feel’ can provide them a second chance.

The developers intend to patent the bionic prosthetic arm for commercial use estimated between ₱50,000 to ₱70,000.

Just like Iron Man, this student-led innovation may give people with limb differences the power to change the lives of others for the better.