Cafe Biotechnology

Andrew was diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson's Disease in 2009 when he was 35 years old. He lives with his wife and two children in Auckland, New Zealand. In November 2012 and February 2013 he underwent a surgical procedure, Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, to help control his motor symptoms.

A father who lost his arm in an accident six years ago has been given a new lease of life by a hi-tech bionic hand which is so precise he can type again. Nigel Ackland, 53, has been fitted with the Terminator-like carbon fibre mechanical hand which he can control with movements in his upper arm. The new bebionic3 myoelectric hand, which is also made from aluminium and alloy knuckles, moves like a real human limb by responding to Nigel's muscle twitches. Incredibly, the robotic arm is so sensitive it means the father-of-one can touch type on a computer keyboard, peel vegetables, and even dress himself for the first time in six years.

Do you want to have your mind blown? Watch this. (This will cost you 13.5 minutes) Hugh Herr, Director of Biomechatronics at MIT University delivers an amazing talk that will touch your soul. I was in the audience. I was almost in the back row. For the opening few minutes of the talk, I couldn't see his feet. So imagine what happened when I finally stood up and saw his legs.