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Open Bionics

HardwareBristol, United KingdomFounded 2014· One of 1757 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

Open Bionics develops affordable, assistive bionic devices including 3D printed bionic arms and hands for upper limb amputees, enhancing the human body.

CEO / Founder
Samantha Payne
Team Size
11-50
Stage
Active
Total Funding
$18.8M
Latest Round
Debt
Key Investors
Foresight Williams Technology, Ananda Impact Ventures, Downing Ventures, SCVC, Innovate UK, NHS England (grants), Crowdcube, NatWest

Technology & Products

Key Products

Hero Arm: The world's first medically certified 3D printed bionic arm. Hero RGD (Rugged): Waterproof, ruggedized multi-grip bionic hand for tough environments. Hero PRO: Advanced high-speed bionic hand. Hero FLEX: Above-elbow bionic arm with 50+ activity attachments. MyoPods: Wireless EMG electrodes.

Technological Advantage

3D printing enables custom fit and personalized designs at fraction of traditional prosthetic costs

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Hero Arm is the world's first medically certified 3D printed bionic arm. Hero RGD and Hero PRO are the only fully wireless and waterproof bionic arms in the world, two times faster than leading bionic hands.

How They Differentiate

Affordable price point, customizable aesthetics, designed for children and adults, NHS coverage

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Upper limb amputees, NHS hospitals, prosthetic clinics, children and adults

Industry Verticals

Medical Devices, Prosthetics, Healthcare

Competitors

Össur, Ottobock, Psyonic, Limbitless Solutions

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Over 1,000 Hero Arm users globally as of April 2025; 6 specialist clinical sites with 6 more launching in 2025; Available through NHS in UK; Health insurance reimbursed in USA; Expanded to multiple countries; Over 100 5-star patient reviews

Major Milestones

2014: Founded by Joel Gibbard and Samantha Payne in Bristol; 2016: Seed funding raised; 2017: NHS England clinical trial partnership; 2018: Hero Arm launch, Disney/Marvel licensing agreements; 2019: $5.9M Series A led by Foresight Williams; 2020: MBE awards for both co-founders; 2022: Crowdcube funding round; 2024: Hero RGD and Hero PRO product launches; April 2025: Official launch of Hero RGD and Hero PRO; November 2024: NHS contract enables supply to all NHS clinics in UK; 2025: Samantha Payne becomes CEO alongside Joel Gibbard as co-founder

Notable Customers

Walter Reed Medical Center, Sahlgrenska University Hospital

https://openbionics.com

Recent coverage of Open Bionics

Why this company matters

Open Bionics occupies a distinctive position in the prosthetics market by using material extrusion (MEX) 3D printing to produce bionic arms at a fraction of the cost of traditional devices. Founded in 2014 in Bristol, the company targets a gap left by established players like Össur and Ottobock: affordable, lightweight, and customizable upper-limb prosthetics for both children and adults.

The core product is the Hero Arm, described as the world's first medically certified 3D printed bionic arm. It is available free through the NHS in the UK and is also reimbursed by health insurers in the US. The device uses polymer MEX printing to create a custom-fit socket and personalized aesthetic covers, including licensed designs from Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Deus Ex.

Customers include upper-limb amputees, NHS hospitals, and prosthetic clinics. Notable institutional customers are Walter Reed Medical Center and Sahlgrenska University Hospital. Over 600 Hero Arms have been delivered globally, with availability expanded to multiple countries.

Open Bionics has raised approximately $18.8 million from investors including Foresight Williams Technology, Ananda Impact Ventures, and Downing Ventures. Its strategic moat rests on NHS coverage, medical certification, and licensing agreements that make the product appealing to children. The main competitive risk is that larger prosthetics firms could adopt similar 3D printing approaches or that regulatory changes could alter NHS reimbursement.