Real-life hero first to get new bionic arm

US military veteran who lost her left arm during the war in Iraq has become the first to be fitted with a new rugged bionic arm inspired by the Call Of Duty video game, a British firm has said.

- SAM RUSSELL

Danielle holding her Purple Heart medal with her new Hero RGD bionic arm

(Pictures: Open Bionics/PA Wire)

Danielle Green, 45, lost the limb when she was injured by a rocket-propelled grenade while deployed in Baghdad with the US army in 2004.

The recipient of a Purple Heart medal, presented to those wounded or killed in service, said that her new prosthetic arm - produced by Bristol-based Open Bionics - “makes me feel whole.”

Open Bionics, founded in the UK in 2014, now has clinics in the US. It launched its Hero RGD (Rugged) bionic arm device at a Call Of Duty livestream event in Las Vegas this week, and Ms Green is the first US veteran to be fitted with one.

Open Bionics describes the Hero RGD as “built for the toughest jobs”, with titanium parts and Nylon PA12 plastic, able to carry up to 77lbs (34.9kg) and withstand impacts.

Brushless motors and spring-loaded fingers deliver a secure, powerful grip, while its 0.4-second closing speed makes it the fastest multi-grip bionic hand to date, the firm said.

It is funded by