Amputee becomes 'cyborg' drummer with robotic stick

Most people would consider losing a limb a massive disadvantage but a US amputee says he is now the envy of other metal musicians after a prosthetic arm attachment transformed him into a "cyborg" drummer.

Jason Barnes lost his right arm below the elbow two years ago after he was received an electric shock.

He made his own prosthetic arm after the accident but he wasn't able to control the speed or bounce of his drumsticks as he had no fingers or wrist, the Metro reports.

Professor Gil Weinberg from Georgia Tech Centre for Music Technology in Atlanta invented the drumming prosthetic for Mr Barnes, which has motors and powers two drumsticks.

One stick is controlled by the musician's arms while the other listens to the music and improvises.

"Now I can flex and send signals to a computer that tightens or loosens the stick and controls rebound," Mr Barnes said.

"I'll bet a lot of metal drummers might be jealous of what I can do now. Speed is good. Faster is always better."

Prof Winberg said the second drumstick has a mind of its own.

"The drummer essentially becomes a cyborg," he said.

"It's interesting to see him playing and improvising with part of his arm that he doesn't totally control."

Source: Metro

Author: Emily Crane, Approving editor: Martin Zavan