# 42. World's Most Advanced Prosthetics

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2021-11-02
- Length: 23m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-11-02-42-worlds-most-advanced-prosthetics
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/42-worlds-most-advanced-prosthetics-wcohucbs

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss two engineering breakthroughs: an MIT and BASF collaboration using machine learning to accelerate material discovery, and a partnership between Life Enabled and Entopology using generative design and 3D printing to create affordable, custom prosthetics for developing countries. They detail how AI optimizes chemical formulations and how digital workflows replace labor-intensive casting, significantly reducing cost and time for amputees in places like Guatemala. The episode highlights the shift from manual, expert-dependent processes to scalable, remote, and data-driven manufacturing.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-11-02-42-worlds-most-advanced-prosthetics#t=0) Introduction and Sponsor Read
- [1:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-11-02-42-worlds-most-advanced-prosthetics#t=70) MIT and BASF AI for Material Discovery
- [10:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-11-02-42-worlds-most-advanced-prosthetics#t=609) Local Motors 3D Printed Car
- [11:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-11-02-42-worlds-most-advanced-prosthetics#t=691) Life Enabled and Entopology Prosthetics
- [21:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-11-02-42-worlds-most-advanced-prosthetics#t=1299) Conclusion and Outro

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- MIT (company)
- BASF (company)
- Life Enabled (company)
- Entopology (company)
- Mouser Electronics (company)
- HP Multi Jet Fusion (tool)
- Grant Imahara (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Why AM and Orthotics & Prosthetics are the Perfect Fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-07-14-why-am-and-orthotics-prosthetics-are-the-perfect-fit) (Additive Snack)
- [Will Your Next Product Be Engineered By An Algorithm?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2022-03-17-will-your-next-product-be-engineered-by-an-algorithm) (Additive Snack)
- [A.I. in Additive Manufacturing with Omar Fergani of 1000 Kelvin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2024-04-09-a-i-in-additive-manufacturing-with-omar-fergani-of-1000-kelvin) (Additive Snack)
- [When Your Shop Is No Longer Bound by Geography w/ Sanjeev Singh Sahni](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-08-18-when-your-shop-is-no-longer-bound-by-geography-w-sanjeev-singh-sahni) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Step into the Future: Doc Sols’ 3D Printed Revolution in Podiatry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2023-08-29-step-into-the-future-doc-sols-3d-printed-revolution-in-podiatry) (Additive Snack)

## Citing this page

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