Bluetooth and Its Amazing Capabilities

Many of us know what Bluetooth technology is and might even use it everyday. However, for those who do not know, Bluetooth technology allows short-range communication or connection between electronic devices. Examples of this include computers or mp3 players to speakers or, the most common use, cell phones to ear phones. This technology has now been used to help an army amputee to walk by syncing two prosthetic limbs together using Bluetooth. Prosthetics have been around for a long time, and Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua Bleill would be able to walk with basic prosthetics. However, normal prosthetics are very tiring and strenuous on the users. To make movement with basic prosthetics better, computer chips were implemented into the limbs and programmed via computer. These limbs still used the remaining muscle of the user to generate movement which is still tiring. However, by using Bluetooth technology and built-in motors in two prosthetic legs, Lance Cpl. Bleill is able to move for long periods of time without becoming fatigued. The Bluetooth technology is used to sync the limbs together and control when and how fast a limb should move by determining what the other limb is doing. This allows the limbs to successfully allow Bleill to stand, walk, run, or climb steps without having to worry about his legs being out of sync creating awkward, slow, or inefficient movement. Currently Bleill is walking using two canes, but he hopes to one day walk without any assistance.