Would You Hold My Hand? Exploring External Observers’ Perception of Artificial Hands

Recent technological advances have enabled the development of sophisticated prosthetic hands, which can help their users to compensate lost motor functions. While research and development has mostly addressed the functional requirements and needs of users of these prostheses, their broader societal perception (e.g., by external observers not affected by limb loss themselves) has not yet been thoroughly explored. To fill this gap, we investigated how the physical design of artificial hands influences the perception by external observers. First, we conducted an online study (n = 42) to explore the emotional response of observers toward three different types of artificial hands. Then, we conducted a lab study (n = 14) to examine the influence of design factors and depth of interaction on perceived trust and usability. Our findings indicate that some design factors directly impact the trust individuals place in the system’s capabilities. Furthermore, engaging in deeper physical interactions leads to a more profound understanding of the underlying technology. Thus, our study shows the crucial role of the design features and interaction in shaping the emotions around, trust in, and perceived usability of artificial hands. These factors ultimately impact the overall perception of prosthetic systems and, hence, the acceptance of these technologies in society.