Industrial - Bachelor
The Miach Air 2 reimagines prosthetic hands for transradial amputees through comfort, individuality, and mass-customisation. Using 3D scanning, 3D printing, and parametric modelling, it integrates pneumatic systems within existing clinical workflows to create expressive, human-centered prostheses that balance technical innovation with emotional design.
The Miach Air 2 was created to expand possibilities in prosthetic design — introducing a new, customisable alternative for transradial amputees. By combining 3D scanning, printing, and parametric design, it enables mass-customisation within modern manufacturing workflows. Designed for comfort, individuality, and real-world performance, it empowers one of the largest amputee user groups worldwide.
Introduce a new alternative in the prosthetic arm and hand market.
Develop a custom grip using 3D scanning, printing, and parametric design — enabling mass-customisation within Industry 4.0.
The Miach Air 2 serves the trans-radial amputee community, who represent around 40% of the global amputee population.
Designed for comfort, individuality, and real-world performance.
This research explores why many transradial amputees choose not to use their prosthetic devices and what factors shape their daily experiences. Many current prostheses are heavy, uncomfortable, or do not align with users’ personal identity and lifestyle needs. By reviewing existing devices and gathering professional and user perspectives, the study highlights the importance of comfort, usability, and emotional connection in prosthetic design. The findings underline the need for prosthetic solutions that are not only functional, but also supportive of confidence, individuality, and everyday life.
Designing organic, human forms alongside functional pneumatic systems presents many challenges. As a hands-on designer, I created physical prototypes to explore feasibility. Using silicone, I built a functional air-powered hand to see whether this approach could work as an effective body-powered prosthesis. The prototype successfully picked up items such as Coke bottles, tennis balls, and even pens. While still far from replicating fine motor control, it clearly demonstrated the potential for this to become a viable alternative to current prosthetic hands.
I surveyed 80 prosthetists across Australia to better understand user needs and uncover gaps in current prosthetic designs. The findings highlighted clear opportunities for improvement — calling for skin-friendly materials, simpler and lighter designs, more human-like forms, and a refined, less bulky aesthetic for greater comfort and usability.
On both the harness and the socket, prioritised for long-term comfort and daily wear.
On both the harness and the socket, simpler in both form and function for easier usability.
The lighter, the better — directly linked to comfort and wearability.
Participants preferred designs more hand-like than traditional body-powered hooks or prehensors.
Participants wanted a prosthesis that feels refined — both aesthetically and functionally smoother.
The Miach Air 2 integrates seamlessly into existing prosthetic workflows. Since prosthetists already use casting or scanning to create custom fits, this system works naturally within their process — enabling easy updates, repairs, and adaptations as users’ needs evolve.
Secondary research revealed that most prosthetic systems require frequent back-and-forth between the prosthetist and the patient — involving repeated testing, adjustments, and redesign.
The Miach Air 2 is designed to fit naturally within this existing workflow, supporting ongoing maintenance, repair, and adaptation.
I encourage anyone interested in taking this project further to do so. I’ve linked my Rhino and Grasshopper files below — feel free to plug in your own mesh or body scan to develop a custom prosthetic hand or lattice harness using these tools.
Link:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/a862o4eebbjhod32e94hv/Upload-Me.zip?rlkey=stcccnuhehj3qorqwzkii7zxz&st=y31mk5uy&dl=0
Jasper is an industrial designer with strong technical skills in advanced CAD and a hands-on approach to creating meaningful, human-centered products. He combines digital precision and physical modelling to bring impactful design ideas to life.