Vets to test 3D-printed prosthetics in ‘make-a-thon’ event

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Staff Sgt. James Sides, who lost his arm in Afghanistan, is the first person to receive an implantable myoelectric sensor that allows him to operate his prosthetic arm with the remaining muscles in his arm. He is demonstrating how the implanted sensors work by picking up a can during an interview at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. on February 6, 2014. (Mike Morones/Staff)

More: VA Prosthetics and Assistive Technology Challenge

VA has already identified a number of specific challenges for the event, though participants will also be able to pitch new ideas, including individual innovations or personal struggles not covered under the existing challenges that also need solutions.

Participating vendors will supply 3-D printers and other resources to help teams develop and construct their ideas, which will then be tested by real veterans in real-world scenarios.

The make-a-thon at the Richmond VA Medical Center on July 28-29 will wrap up a months-long, nationwide series of events from Silicon Valley to Washington, D.C.

About 

Aaron Boyd is an awarding-winning journalist currently serving as editor of Federal Times — a Washington, D.C. institution covering federal workforce and contracting for more than 50 years — and Fifth Domain — a news and information hub focused on cybersecurity and cyberwar from a civilian, military and international perspective.