Question: What makes bionic limbs work so well, does it have something to do with people's nerves?

Hayley Clissold answered on 25 Jun 2015:

Great question Beverley! You’re right, our nervous system does play a part.

The motor cortex part of our brain controls voluntary muscle movements and it still does this even if the voluntary muscles are no longer available for control (e.g. after an amputation).

When doctors amputate a limb, not all of the nerves that carry signals to the amputated limb are removed. These remaining nerve endings that are left attached to the body can be redirected to a bionic limb.

Therefore, when the brain sends a signal to move the limb (e.g. picking an item up with your hand), the signal can still be transmitted and will communicate with the bionic limb to cause movement. Pretty cool!