The New Body Institute is changing the face of prosthetics - literally. Here, general manager Hiro Takeuchi displays custom-made fingers, hands, breasts, and ears made with an ultra-realism that goes beyond freckles and veins. Modeled in a unique silicon material composed of thousands of temperature-sensitive microcapsules, the prostheses are built to match the patient's complexion exactly - even when the skin reddens from the cold or darkens in the sun.
Maria Niino, president of the Tokyo-based facility and its corporate arm Hello Tomorrow Japan, founded the institute after losing a breast to cancer, and many clients are victims of accident or disease. And then there are the reformed yakuza; the erstwhile mobsters who chopped off a digit to show their loyalty are more than willing to spend $3,000 on the finger they need to reenter society.
ELECTRIC WORD
Shooting Stars
Hall of Sound
Need a Hand?
Through the Looking Glass
Techtile Design
Plug and Play
