TASKA Hand from TASKA Prosthetics - Bionics For Everyone

Rugged, waterproof, and capable of operating in dusty environments, the TASKA is the first bionic hand designed specifically for durability.

What’s On This Page?

A Quick Look at the TASKA Hand

We don’t like using promotional videos to introduce bionic devices but these two short videos still provide the best overview of the TASKA Hand despite now being a few years old:

Key Features

Grip Patterns & Control System

The TASKA Hand offers 23 different built-in grip patterns. This means 23 different patterns of digits closing (or not closing) to form a specific grip, such as these three examples:

Users can also use the MyTASKA mobile application to create an unlimited number of custom grips, as shown in this video:

However, as we point out for all bionic hands, having a large number of grip patterns isn’t particularly useful. The majority of people use only a few core grips for all tasks, so the more important measure is how well a hand performs these core grips.

This short video demonstrates the TASKA using a few core grips to make breakfast:

How does the user select one of TASKA’s grips?

In general, myoelectric sensors are placed against the skin of the user’s residual limb to detect muscle movements. These movements are then translated to commands for the bionic hand, typically to open or close the hand or to change the selected grip.

However, TASKA provides a much quicker and more convenient way for users to change grips, as demonstrated in these two short videos:

Users have control over grip assignments, again by using the MyTaska mobile app:

Users can also select their current grip using the mobile app.

Making grip selection so convenient like this can make a big difference to the user’s quality of life.

Note that TASKA is also compatible with certain myoelectric pattern recognition systems, which allow for more sophisticated control over bionic hands.

Thumb Rotation

The TASKA Hand offers automatic thumb rotation. This means that the thumb will automatically position itself opposite the fingers or parallel to them based on the selected grip.

Proportional Control

As with most other myoelectric hands, the TASKA offers proportional control. This means that the hand will close with a speed and force that correlates to the strength of the muscle action used to trigger the close signal.

Auto Grip

Similar to Ottobock’s bebionic Hand, the TASKA Hand has an anti-slip feature to help prevent losing hold of objects. Here is a quick example:

Sensory Feedback

To our knowledge, the TASKA Hand does not offer any form of sensory feedback.

Wrist Design

The TASKA comes with a flexible built-in wrist that can be locked in an up position (15 degrees of extension), down position (25 degrees of flexion), or neutral position. Locking is set via buttons near the wrist.

The TASKA also offers two types of wrist connectors:

Low Profile Wrist
Quick Disconnect Wrist (QDW)

The Low Profile Wrist can only be rotated manually and only to 90 degrees. Also, the hand cannot be removed by the user for this type of wrist connector; only a clinician can remove it.

The QDW is TASKA’s redesigned version of the industry-standard QDW. It can be rotated infinitely and also comes with dual release buttons that make it easier and faster to change devices while also improving grip security and preventing unintentional releases. Rotation can be either manual or electronic.

Here’s a quick look at the QDW:

Both wrist options can be made waterproof with TASKA’s Hydroseal technology.

Size & Weight

The TASKA Hand is available in two sizes: the 7_^3/4 inch (197 mm) and 8_^1/4 inch (210 mm). These sizes refer to the palm circumference. Here are the official sizes and weights the way that we normally state them:

7_^3/4 inch, 179 mm (L) x 82 mm (W), 556 to 605 grams depending on the wrist selection
8_^1/4 inch, 180 mm (L) x 88 mm (W), 595 grams to 644 grams depending on the wrist selection

As you can see, the main difference between the two hands is the palm width of 82 vs 88 mm.

Lift Capacity & Grip Strength

The TASKA Hand can lift up to 20 kgs. This puts it in line with the Michelangelo Hand, a little short of the Psyonic’s Ability Hand, but well short of both the bebionic Hand and Ossur’s i-Limb.

We’re a little surprised that the lift capacity isn’t higher given TASKA’s intent on making a true working hand but we think this may have to do with maximizing durability (see next section).

As for grip strength, we’ve been unable to find the grip force in newtons for the overall hand, as its technical specifications only report grip force by finger.

Durability

The TASKA has several features designed to increase durability. Aside from being waterproof and highly resistant to dust, it also has increased shock absorption in the fingers. If you happen to bang the hand against something by accident, you’re unlikely to damage it.

Additionally, the hand has collapsible fingers. Therefore, if you fall on the fingers or otherwise put too much pressure on them, they’ll simply collapse instead of breaking. To get the fingers back to their default position, all you have to do is reset the hand. Here is a demonstration of this feature:

All of these features make for a rugged hand, as shown in this video, where the TASKA is used in some fairly vigorous sculpting tasks:

For a more complete discussion of what you should and shouldn’t do with a TASKA Hand, we’ve dug up this two-video review on the YouTube Channel Myoelectric Outdoors.

We also encourage you to read the comments below these two videos.

In case you don’t have time to do all this, we’ll repeat a couple of key points made by the narrator. The TASKA Hand does seem to be a step forward in robustness. This very experienced user of myoelectric hands likes his TASKA, whereas he did not have good experiences with Ossur’s i-Limb or Ottobock’s bebionic Hand (though he does love Ottobock’s Michelangelo Hand). This suggests that TASKA has successfully hit its target market.

But note the narrator’s cautionary comments about the durability limits of bionic hands in general, including the TASKA. This is evident by his continued reliance on his Ottobock Greifer for any truly heavy-duty tasks.

Water and Dust Resistance

The TASKA Hand is one of only a few hands currently on the market that is both waterproof and dustproof. It has an IP rating of 67, meaning that it is totally protected against dust and can also be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes.

Note that it can be submerged past the wrist if using the Low Profile Wrist connector, but only below the wrist if using the QDW (see the Wrist Design subsection above). This next section demonstrates the difference:

Glove Options

The TASKA Hand does not require a glove. It is already waterproof and dustproof, and it already has soft grips on the fingers and thumbs to securely grasp objects, all without a glove.

Batteries

TASKA’S battery on a full charge will power at least 400 grip actions before its grip force weakens.

Once fully drained, the battery requires four hours to fully recharge.

TASKA recommends charging the battery each night and replacing the battery once per year.

User Software

TASKA provides a software application called MyTASKA for both IOS and Android mobile devices. This application allows users to:

Create custom grips that define new open and close positions for the hand’s fingers and thumb.
Add, remove, and re-order grips.
Access training programs and games to perfect gestures and movements.

Suitability for Above-the-Elbow Solutions

The TASKA Hand is suitable for above-the-elbow solutions. Ultimately, the hand receives its commands and carries out the required actions whether it is part of a hand-only system or a system involving a wrist, elbow, and/or shoulder components.

In a system that involves integrated control over multiple components, the TASKA will receive its commands from a control system acting as the master controller for all components.

Price

According to our information, the TASKA Hand sells for between $70,000 and $90,000 US for a typical below-the-elbow solution, including all prosthetist fees.

For a complete list of prices for other bionic hands, please see our Bionic Hand Price List.

Availability

The TASKA hand is now available in the USA, UK, Europe, Scandinavia, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand

Warranty

TASKA offers a two-year limited warranty against manufacturing or parts defects for TASKA components.

Users can purchase a Limited Extended Warranty in one-year increments for up to three additional years, providing up to five years of coverage in total.

While under warranty, the hand must be serviced once per year. This is typically arranged through your prosthetist. Loaner units are provided during all service repairs.

User Feedback Survey & Results

Survey

Are you currently using the TASKA Hand or have you used it in the past?

If so, why not help others by sharing your experiences in this quick survey:

Results

We do not yet have a sufficient number of survey participants to publish a formal report for the TASKA Hand. As soon as we do, we’ll update this section.

In the meantime, we have received enough feedback to provide some insight into consumer experiences with the TASKA, which we express in the next section.

Considerations Before Buying the TASKA Hand

We are generally very cautious about expressing our opinion of bionic devices, as we prefer to publish only the collective feedback that we receive from end-users.

However, in the case of TASKA, we have enough feedback to form a general impression, which is that the TASKA Hand is delivering a much higher rate of user satisfaction than most bionic hands. We suspect that a lot of this has to do with its high level of durability — 2/3 of users have never had their hands repaired — but the TASKA also seems to score well in other areas, too.

Certainly, if you want a rugged hand for medium-duty work — especially outdoors — the TASKA should be a candidate.

For a list of competitor devices, see All Bionic Hands.

For a comprehensive description of all current upper-limb technologies, devices, and research, see our complete guide.

If you are shopping for a bionic hand, do not miss our article on Bionic Arm & Hand Control Systems. Getting this part of your bionic system right is probably the biggest single ingredient in your long-term satisfaction.

Click here for more information on TASKA Prosthetics.