Tuesday, March 17th 2009

Developer Makes Prosthetic USB Drive

Mar 17th, 2009 10:54 Discuss (36 Comments)

Finnish software developer Jerry Jalava, in an unfortunate motorcycle accident lost a digit of his left ring (leech) finger. The prosthetic that took its place went on to become his claim to fame: it packs a USB flash drive. What looks like a good attempt at looking like a real finger, can be peeled of at its nail to reveal a USB connector. Once separated, the finger can be connected to a computer like any other USB flash drive.

Jalava modified a traditional prosthetic to pack a tiny 2 GB drive. "When I'm using the USB, I just leave my finger inside the slot and pick it up after I'm ready" says Jalava. The developer already has plans for the next version of his 'smart digit', which will have more storage, and an RFID tag. 'I'm planning to use anther prosthetic as a shell for the next version, which will have removable fingertip and an RFID tag,' he added.

Source: Daily Mail Online

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36 Comments on Developer Makes Prosthetic USB Drive

DrPepper

The Doctor is in the house

Odd yet interesting.

mikek75

LOL, thats brilliant!! I only lost the top 8mm of the same finger on my right hand....Still got £3142 in compensation for it though, heh!

Basard

...uh... i'm speechless

PVTCaboose1337

Graphical Hacker

What happens when the USB drive breaks?

1Kurgan1

The Knife in your Back

Interesting, too bad they didn't show it with the skin back over it. It looks like the end of the finger is pretty transparent and that it wouldn't hold shape very well, but still cool.

human_error

PVTCaboose1337What happens when the USB drive breaks?

I read about this on another site a few days ago, he can swap the drive out for another one if it breaks.

*insert obligatory joke about dodgey pickup line involving "electric finger"*

PVTCaboose1337

Graphical Hacker

So can he go swimming then?

human_error

PVTCaboose1337So can he go swimming then?

I assume he just removes the prosthetic, but i believe you have happened upon a valid use for those new fangled waterproof usb drives that were all over cebit :eek:

qamulek

It would be a bit hard to misplace that usb drive :0

#10

MRCL

www.20min.ch/digital/hardware/story/20738059

Moar pix.

#11

DrPepper

The Doctor is in the house

What if he wipes his arse with that hand wont it scratch and get shitty.

#12

Evo85

Thats just a little..... Creepy...... :eek:

#13

Swansen

i'm failing to see the point here, and SCREW RFIDs

#14

MRCL

If that'd happen to me, I'd built in a lighter.

#15

Swansen

MRCLIf that'd happen to me, I'd built in a lighter.

lol X2

#16

MilkyWay

a finger swiss army knife anyway that was intuitive but a little strange

#17

1Kurgan1

The Knife in your Back

PVTCaboose1337So can he go swimming then?

There isn't any constant power in a USB stick. You can go swimming with any comp part as long as it doesn't have power going to it, just have to let it dry off before using it again. I have gone swimming with my old PS2 memory card and so has another cousin of mine, give them some dry out time and works just fine.

#18

Pete1burn

Gives new meaning to the term "thumb drive".

#19

Sasqui

"When I'm using the USB, I just leave my finger inside the slot and pick it up after I'm ready"

OK then.

Perhaps John Bobbit could borrow that idea :roll:

#20

ArmoredCavalry

So he can only type with one hand while using a usb drive?

I am seeing a design flaw here... :laugh:

#21

a111087

sorry, but this is retarded...

#22

Vincy Boy

a111087sorry, but this is retarded...

No it's not! Think of all the millions of people throughout history who have lost a digit. Imagine the improved quality of life of having digital storage at their fingertips would bring to those who suffer now. Have a heart man. :rolleyes:

Is it me or does it look like he is holding a joint while stoned out of his mind in the second pic?

#23

MRCL

With techonolgy evolving so fast these days, I bet in yome years we have the first person to have a beamer as digit prosthetic.

#24

REVHEAD

This is what happens when you take drugs.He looks like he is off this planet.

#25

a111087

Vincy BoyNo it's not! Think of all the millions of people throughout history who have lost a digit. Imagine the improved quality of life of having digital storage at their fingertips would bring to those who suffer now. Have a heart man. :rolleyes:

well, you see, I don't understand how much it would improve their life, because i think once you insert your finger and start copying something big, you will not be able to go away. If it isn't clear yet, that ADDS inconvenience to their life. It isn;t like he can't take a regular usb and insert it in usb port, he just decided hey, I could hide stuff in my fake finger...

Vincy BoyIs it me or does it look like he is holding a joint while stoned out of his mind in the second pic?

it does look like that, but it is more likely that his eyes look like that because of prolong eye strain.

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Developer Makes Prosthetic USB Drive

36 Comments on Developer Makes Prosthetic USB Drive

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