The term "bionic" once had a purely scientific meaning. Now, thanks to pop culture like The Six-Million Dollar Man, what immediately comes to mind are images of leaping over buildings, lifting cars, and other feats of superhuman strength, associated with the words: "We can rebuild him; we have the technology ... Better than he was before. Better. Stronger. Faster." It's like trying to listen to Rossini's William Tell Overture without thinking of the Lone Ranger.

While it is highly unlikely that bionics will ever give us superhuman powers, it's true that there have been dramatic improvements in prosthetic technology over the past 30 years. What once seemed like science fiction is rapidly becoming reality. Although even the highest state-of-the-art prosthetics only approach the replication of actual limbs, the exciting union of bionics and prosthetics offers the promise of technologies to come that will greatly improve mobility, energy efficiency and gait patterns.

Sensors and Sensibilities:
Better Prostheses Through Enhanced AI

The key to future prosthetics, experts say, lies in enhancing artificial intelligence, or AI. The concept of integrating computer technology into prosthetic designs isn't new. AI is already used to monitor self-adjusting knees; Otto Bock, Seattle Systems and Endolite have all made progress in this area. Artificial hands are now being manufactured with sensors in the fingertips that can control the force of the grip.