The body as an artefact: a case of hand prosthesis

The tension of overcoming our biological limits - as human beings - is the driving force in our evolutionary history. Since ancient times , we have used technology as a solution to overcome our limitations: the invention of clothes allows us to adapt to any climate, the spectacles empower our sight. Today, technology is even more powerful: technical suits support us in visiting extreme environments, including the emptiness of space, where humans cannot survive. We are surrounded by artefacts placed on the body (i.e., wearables, oculus), in the body (i.e., endoprosthesis, diagnostic and therapeutic aids) and in the extended body area (i.e. non-invasive medical devices, robots for surgery, etc.) This paper aims to highlight some of the challenges raised by the relation between the human body and extra and intra-corporeal technologies, focusing on the design of a multi-jointed prosthetic hand discussed with regards not just to functionality, but also to aesthetic and mode of use.