IKBFU Startup Founder Presents Prototype of a Touch Module for Bionic Prosthetics

Sherwood Hawkes, a chemistry student at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, has unveiled a prototype of Sentium — a tactile module for bionic prosthetic hands. The innovation addresses the lack of sensory feedback, a key issue that often creates a psychological barrier between the user and the device.

This problem leads to a long and difficult rehabilitation process lasting up to two or three years. Our module helps restore tactile and temperature sensations, turning a prosthesis from a mere tool into an intuitive extension of the body. The module requires no surgical intervention or structural modification of existing prosthetics,
explained the developer, third-year chemistry student Sherwood Hawkes.

The idea for the module first emerged when Hawkes was in the tenth grade. Over four years, the project evolved from a school concept into a full-fledged tech startup. Earlier this year, it won the federal Student Startup competition with a grant of one million rubles.

Now l’m keep working on the development of the project within IKBFU’s Green Business accelerator and the Skolkovo pre-accelerator. We’ve expanded the team by bringing in design and management students to refine the business model and product. Our main priority at the moment is finding a lead engineer to build the MVP — a minimum viable product,
the young start-upper shared.