We are the Plasticity Lab, led by Prof Tamar Makin. We study the extent to which brain areas supporting perception and action are shaped by experience.
Joined December 2017
- Tweets 181
- Following 141
- Followers 2,020
- Likes 154
65 Photos and videos
22 Nov 2024
We're making the move to bluesky! Follow us over there to keep in touch and receive updates on our research bsky.app/profile/plasticity-…. We'll no longer be using X
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15 Sep 2024
There's still time to apply to join Prof Tamar Makin's team at MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit in Cambridge! We are seeking a new Research Assistant. Ideal candidates have research experience & relevant degrees. jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/47969/
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20 Aug 2024
📷 We're hiring! Join Prof Tamar Makin's team at MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, as a Research Assistant. 1-year fixed-term role with renewal potential. Ideal candidates have research experience & relevant degrees. Apply here: jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/47969/#Ne… #Jobs
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12 Jun 2024
"I tried out a robotic third thumb — and felt like I had superpowers" Kaya Burgess, a science reporter for the Times came down to our lab to try out Dani's Thumb, check out his story!
12 Jun 2024
Ever feel like you need an extra pair of hands? 👐🏼
How about starting with an extra thumb? 👍🏼
I made this video after Cambridge researchers taught me to use the robotic Third Thumb 🤖
Read the full story below
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2 Jun 2024
Great to see so much positive interest in the Third Thumb! The Thumb, created by @DaniClode, is instrumental in our studies at the @plasticity_lab at @mrccbu @Cambridge_Uni. To learn more about our latest study: youtu.be/UI-t21QcXM4?si=5LIB…
30 May 2024
This Third Thumb is *so cool*. I am unbelievably jealous of the folks who got to try it out! That story and more of the best in @ScienceMagazine and science in this edition of #ScienceAdviser: science.org/content/article/…
Video credit: Dani Clode Design and the Plasticity Lab
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2 Jun 2024
We're thrilled by the positive attention the Third Thumb is receiving! The Thumb, created by @DaniClode, is instrumental in our studies at the @plasticity_lab at @Cambridge_Uni. For more on our latest research please follow us!
You thought we would fix the six fingered AI hands 🙌
Instead we accelerate
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Plasticity Lab retweeted
30 May 2024
Researchers explored the usability of a 3D-printed device called the Third Thumb at the @royalsociety #SummerScience Exhibition and found it widely usable among young and old, left and right handed people.
Learn more in Science #Robotics: scim.ag/78Y
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Plasticity Lab retweeted
29 May 2024
Describing somebody as being “all thumbs” might usually denote clumsiness but researchers have found that gaining a robotic third one can make daily tasks easier for all of us thetimes.co.uk/article/resea…
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30 May 2024
Could you use a Third Thumb? Learn more about our new paper on inclusive design testing of the Third Thumb (designed by @DaniClode) on a diverse group of nearly 600 users aged 3-96 @Cambridge_Uni @mrccbu
youtube.com/watch?v=UI-t21Qc…
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Plasticity Lab retweeted
30 May 2024
👍🏽 How easily could you get to grips with a Third Thumb?
The @plasticity_lab @mrccbu team tested a new device by @daniclode at the @RoyalSociety Summer Science Exhibition, and found that the public took to it fairly easily.
Explore more 👉🏽 cam.ac.uk/stories/third-thum…
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30 May 2024
Overall, our findings successfully demonstrate the initial usability of the Third Thumb across a broad range of users. We hope this work highlights the plausibility of testing a diverse range of users during the development phases of new technologies
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30 May 2024
Finally, thank you to our 596 participants for taking the time to participate in our study, and thank you to all 16 Plasticity team members that helped us collect this data over the course of a crazy 5 days!
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30 May 2024
When we looked closer, we found some age costs within the older adults (age 34-96), whilst we found improvements with age in the younger children (age ≤ 11)
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30 May 2024
Whilst nearly everyone could perform the task, we found performance was generally poorer amongst younger children (≤11y/o), whilst younger adults (17-33 y/o) and older adults (34-96 y/o) performed comparably
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30 May 2024
Can anyone use the Third Thumb?
We tested a diverse range of nearly 600 users at the @royalsociety Summer Science Exhibition with the 'Third Thumb', a hand augmentation device
doi.org/10.1126/scirobotics.…
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30 May 2024
We demonstrated that participants were all able to successfully perform the task to a similar level of ability, regardless of diversity characteristics of gender, handedness or having a hobby involving their hands
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30 May 2024
Participants were very successful! Nearly all of our participants could control the Thumb, and 98% were able to perform a task in the first-minute of usage, across our wide age range
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30 May 2024
We ensured participants could fit and control the Third Thumb, and then asked participants to perform either a 'Individuation' task with the Third Thumb, or a 'Collaboration' task with the Third Thumb and biological hand
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30 May 2024
The 'Third Thumb' is a 3D-printed hand augmentation device, designed by @DaniClode. We tested the inclusivity of the Third Thumb design on 596 members of the public (aged 3-96) during the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2022
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