Danielle Green, 45, was awarded the Purple Heart medal after losing her left arm in 2004 in Baghdad, Iraq, and was delighted with her UK-made Hero RGD arm, which can carry up to 77lb
A grenade attack victim has become the first US military veteran to be fitted with a bionic arm inspired by Call of Duty. Danielle Green, 45, was awarded the Purple Heart medal after losing her left arm in 2004 in Baghdad, Iraq.
She is thrilled with her UK-made Hero RGD arm, which can carry up to 77lb and grips in just 0.4 seconds. Danielle, who can high-five son Daniel with the video game-inspired limb, said: “I love my bionic arm. It gives me balance, it makes me feel whole, makes me feel complete.
“As a female combat veteran wearing this arm in public, I know it’s about more than just me. Little girls who’ve lost a limb see someone like them moving forward with confidence.
“Their parents see it too, and it creates a ripple effect of awareness and possibility.” Bristol-based Open Bionics, which now has US clinics, launched its Hero RGD at a Call of Duty livestream event in Las Vegas.
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The arm, made of titanium and nylon PA12 plastic, is described as “built for the toughest jobs”, able to withstand impacts and with spring-loaded fingers delivering a secure, powerful grip. It is funded by Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard’s Call of Duty Endowment, a non-profit group that helps veterans transition into civilian careers.
Open Bionics said it “combines military-grade durability with advanced engineering”, and has special covers designed in collaboration with Call Of Duty Endowment to reflect Ms Green’s strength and identity.
Open Bionics’ Samantha Payne said: “The Hero RGD was built for people who need reliability and strength in every part of their day.”
She said it was the first design to allow amputees to get it wet without worrying about the electronics. It also has a wrist connector so amputees can disconnect their bionic hand and clip in a sports attachment.
Ms Payne added: “Now, you just need one wireless arm and you can use any attachment you like, bionic hand, or sport attachment. No more lugging around multiple arms.”
Helene Imperiale, senior director at Call of Duty Endowment, said: “We are proud to support real-life heroes like Danielle Green.”