Bionic hand inspired by Formula 1 gives patient new lease of life

A woman has been fitted with the world's most life-like bionic hand, inspired by Formula 1 technology.

Nicky Ashwell, 29, from London, can now carry out tasks, such as riding a bike, for the very first time.

But Nicky says it's the little things she can now do that surprise her the most, such as being able to carry her purse at the same time as holding her boyfriend's hand.

Ms Ashwell, who was born without a right hand, had previously used a cosmetic prosthetic that she was not able to move.

Now she has been fitted with an anatomically accurate new hand developed by prosthetic experts Steeper, described by the company as a bionic breakthrough that uses Formula 1 technology to deliver "unrivalled level of precision and natural movements".

The hand, which weighs about the same as a bar of chocolate, has small proportions that have been specifically designed with women and teenagers in mind and is built around an accurate skeletal structure with miniaturised components designed to provide the most true-to-life movements.

The product manager at an online fashion forecasting and trend service said:

She was fitted with the hand at the private London Prosthetics Centre. Ted Varley, technical director at Steeper, said: