Easton LaChappelle

Creating open source robotic arms that can be used from prosthetics to a robotics learning platform

Easton LaChappelle has been taking apart anything he could find since he was a child, and now he is changing industries. At 14, he made his first robotic hand out of LEGOs, fishing wire and electrical tubing. With his gradual improvement, the hand turned into an arm and advanced to a 3D-printed brain-powered invention that he could operate with his mind. After an encounter with a 7-year- old girl at a science fair whose prosthetic arm cost $80,000 (and would need to be replaced when she outgrew it), LaChappelle was inspired to turn his prototype into a practical and affordable device. Not only were his designs amazing, but his young age in addition to his self-taught knowledge of robotics started to make an impact. President Obama shook hands with one of his arms and has traveled the world spreading the message that you can learn outside of the education system including a TED talk. At 18, Easton founded Unlimited Tomorrow, which is advancing 3-d printed robotic arms for the use of prosthetics. Much of Easton's work is open-sourced and is available online for free.

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