Touching tale of transformative tech

SCOTLAND’S scientific standing has taken something of a battering lately, so it’s heartening to hear some good news to end the week.

The Scottish Government’s decision to ban the growing of genetically-modified crops was met with a warning of “apocalyptic” consequences from a former chief science adviser.

Then came news of a surprise decline in the number of pupils sitting physics, chemistry and maths Highers, amid concern at a shortage of school leavers with such qualifications to meet the country’s economic needs.

But now we learn of the development of a bionic hand which will change the life of nine-year-old Josh Cathcart from Fife, who was born without a lower arm.

The i-limb quantum was designed, produced and fitted in Scotland thanks to the ingenuity of Livingston firm Touch Bionics. The company describes it as the most advanced prosthetic hand available to people with upper limb deficiencies.

In Josh’s case, it has not only given him the ability at last to do everyday things like play games and make himself a snack, but also help counter an affliction suffered by all too many youngsters – bullying. This is the type of development of which Scotland will be proud – an invention involving cutting-edge technology that can have a transformative effect for many people.

It is also a big growth area. The wider global robotics market, in which Scotland is playing a major part, is forecast to be worth trillions of pounds a year within a decade.

So it’s three cheers for Touch Bionics, and for Josh Cathcart, who immediately put his new arm to good use by building Lego. He may be another inventor in the making.