Double nomination for Open Bionics in Tech4Good Awards

Issue date: 05 June 2015

Open Bionics, a startup based at the Technology Business Incubator at Bristol Robotics Laboratory, is celebrating a double nomination in this year's Tech4Good Awards.

Vitória Maurício, lead designer and modeller is a finalist for the Young People's Award and the start-up of four are also shortlisted for an Accessibility award. Both are also in the running for the People's Award category, voting online opened on 1 June, to vote visit: http://www.tech4goodawards.com/vote-now/

Open Bionics has won multiple awards for their open source 3D printed robotic hands and was recently named as one of the Top 50 international robotics companies to watch along with Google.

Vitória Maurício is an anatomical artist and 3D modeller, who had just finished a Masters degree at Glasgow University when she found Open Bionics on Twitter and asked to be part of the team.

Vitória is now the lead designer and modeller at Open Bionics, and is responsible for designing a 3D printable hand that's biomimetic (looks and functions similar to a humans). Not only does Vitória design incredible human-looking hands, she also designs bionic hands that can be printed in just two days, and in two parts – a huge innovation, as current bionic hands take weeks to make and deliver to amputees.

Her recent achievements include designing a hand for a quad amputee, and having her design printed all over the world. Vitória's designs will soon be available to download for free, so anyone can 3D print their own hand.

Vitória Maurício said, “I was flattered for the acknowledgement, and very grateful that the value of my contribution to a very new field is recognised. Uniting creative and scientific principles is now being more valued and I really appreciate that.

“Working in the tech industry has been amazing, it really motivates me to work with people from different backgrounds and develop innovative concepts that could not exist without a multidisciplinary approach. Technology for good is about using your creativity and technical skills for something you really believe in, and I feel like that is when you do your best work.”

The Tech4Good Awards celebrate the hard work of people of all ages who use the power of computers and the Internet to make the world a better place. They were created by AbilityNet, working with BT and a range of commercial and not-for-profit partners and sponsors. Winners in all ten categories will be announced online on 15 July.

Open Bionics are based at the Technology Business Incubator, a visionary pilot program to stimulate and support technology start-ups. Working with undergraduate, graduate, post-graduates, staff and partner spinout businesses the incubator provides the BRL with up-to-date and detailed understanding of technology start-up needs and enhances the BRL's creative and entrepreneurial culture. It provides valuable input to courses, research and research exploitation.

To vote for Vitória Maurício in this year's People's Award category, visit the Vote Now page, follow @Tech4GoodAwards on Twitter and tweet using the hashtag #T4GVitóriaMaurício.

To vote for Open Bionics in this year's People's Award category, visit the Vote Now page, follow @Tech4GoodAwards on Twitter and tweet using the hashtag #T4GOpenBionics.

For all the latest information from Open Bionics, visit: www.openbionics.com or follow them on Twitter openbionics.