Orlando-based nonprofit Limbitless Solutions Inc., which makes personalized bionic prosthetic limbs for children and adults, has received funding to help it develop a video game tied to the use of its bionic arms.
The organization, which has a 6,000-square-foot space in Central Florida Research Park, got an $85,000 2023 Unity for Humanity Grant from video game development company Unity Software Inc. (NYSE: U).
This will help fund the nonprofit's Quantum’s Pursuit training game, which will teach limb-different children how to use a bionic arm through the game's controller, which mimics how the arm works.
Why this matters: Research can help move forward innovation and create advances in technology or new products.
Matt Dombrowski, head of creative arts and media at Limbitless Solutions and associate professor at UCF’s School of Visual Arts and Design, and Peter Smith, head of game development and training at Limbitless Solutions and associate professor at UCF’s Nicholson School of Communication and Media, are leading development of the game. Limbitless has used video training games since 2016.
Dombrowski told Orlando Inno Limbitlessseparates itself from others that are comparable due to its comprehensive process, which includes design, prosthetic limbs, video game controller hardware and the training games.
“This approach allows for seamless integration between the arm designs, visual theming and training games, resulting in a cohesive system,” Dobrowski said. “Moreover, our team, which comprises Limbitless Staff, UCF-affiliated faculty and undergraduate students, collaborate directly with hospital partners to employ the training games in clinical trials.”
The game is expected to be ready for play-testing after a year of development. The company has three other training games listed on its website tied to its research.
Founded at UCF in 2014, Limbitless provides free bionic arms to children through clinical trials. It also makes bionic arms for adults and through a study called Project Xavier that is researching an electromyography-driven power wheelchair control system.
Limbitless was chosen as one of Orlando Business Journal's 2022 Fire Awards honorees, and was named one of five 2022 Fire Awards Blazers for ranking No. 1 among honoree companies that are 8-10 years old.
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