A Spanish prosthesis manufactured with 3D printers is restoring hope to hundreds of people with disabilities around the world. It was invented by Guillermo Martínez, a young man who, at just 22 years old, went to Kenya as a volunteer and who has founded a social enterprise that employs more than a dozen people. Its main success is the creation of a custom articulated arm that adapts to each affected person.
The invention has changed the lives of people like Robert, a Kenyan who is missing his entire right arm and even part of his shoulder. Living with one less limb is a difficulty for anyone, but in his case much more so due to the living conditions he has in Africa.
Now, Robert wears a technological arm built with a 3D printer and a mini camera harness. Guillermo designed a prosthesis that fit precisely to his body and adapted the harness so that it fit correctly and fulfilled all functions. The result was magnificent. Robert is “the first person with a transhumeral amputation” to receive a prosthesis from Ayúdame3D.
Guillermo Martínez's company makes all types of three-dimensional printing. He makes solidarity keychains for other companies, trophies for awards galas... And with the profits from his operations he buys recycled plastic for the prostheses of people with disabilities, which he personalizes, manufactures and ships to four different continents.
People with disabilities from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America have already benefited from the social work of Ayúdame3D, which at the same time receives orders from Amazon, PlayStation, Timpers, Fundación Lo Que de Verdad Importa, Youth Institute of the Government of Spain and the Community of Madrid.
“We do not receive public funds,” Laura Martín, co-founder of Ayúdame3D and Communication Director of this social company, said in an interview with Servimedia. But clients increasingly rely on them to teach three-dimensional printing, organize team building activities, teach students in schools and give conferences. “They know that it is a direct way to finance aid” for prostheses for people with disabilities around the world.