Some time ago, KONAMI announced they are supporting The Phantom Limb Project. Based at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, this project has been experimenting with determining what bionic limbs should look like artistically and how they should perform. It is a very intriguing project, and if you have a few minutes, I recommend checking out its website for more information and updates.
KONAMI Digital Entertainment have announced they will be participating in the first ever BDYHAX bodyhacking and biohacking convention to showcase the Phantom Limb Project. The event takes place in Austin’s Convention Center in Texas, from February 19th-21st. It will see bodybuilders, tattoo enthusiasts and technological limb replacement and augmentation advances showcased across its three days, and KONAMI will present the ‘Phantom Limb Project’, alongside its beneficiary, 25-year-old James Young. Su-Yina Farmer, European Communications Manager for KONAMI, will also be in attendance as the pair discusses the origins of the project, its design evolution and the many skilled teams that contributed to its design and realisation.
KONAMI have confirmed that a special documentary tracking the development of James’ limb. More information on this production will be made available at a later date.
Information on select team members
Sophie De Oliviera Barata started her career making hyper-realistic prosthetic limbs for amputees, but realised there was huge demand for more unique adaptations. This lead her to establish the Alternative Limb Project, wherein users could have a say in their prosthetic, creating limbs that people look at in amazement instead of looking away. She designed the crystal leg used by amputee performer Viktoria Modesta during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Paralympics, and enjoys a reputation as an innovator and a freethinker and has given talks at TED and the Wired Medical Event about her work and its effects.
James was keen to attend BDYHAX to meet like-minded fans of such limbs, and the stylised and multi-functional limb will be shown in a special talk. James tragically lost an arm and a leg when he fell on to the tracks between two carriages of the London DLR. Despite his loss, James has refused to let it interrupt his life and hobbies of travel and video games. He is extremely adept at playing games one handed, and carefully selected by Sophie as a candidate comfortable with the idea of an eye-catching alternative limb and who would benefit from the capabilities it offered. During the project, James has been central to the design and capabilities of the limb, working through ideas and possibilities with Sophie and her support team.
