A bionic arm and a nerve implant give one amputee a sense of touch

19 Feb 2014 • engadget.com

Before Sørensen knew it, bzzzt! That sensory data was converted into nerve impulses so Sørensen could "feel" those objects in real-time. Not only he could discern the different shapes of objects he picked up, he could get a sense of what they were made of too.

Unsurprisingly, Sørensen -- who lost his left hand in a fireworks accident nine years ago -- is itching to use one full time. We're still a long way off from portable models that don't require support from a lab, but there's plenty of interest (not to mention progress) in crafting a new generation of sensitive prosthetics.

Right out of Star Wars.  The future is almost here.