Prosthetic Parts & Enhancements
Not all wearable tech has to be full-body. In fact, in a setting with advanced robotics, it should be expected that prosthetic parts and enhancements for regular people have kept up with technology. When you’re designing characters, keep in mind the new array of options, and feel free to make use of them.
MODERN PROSTHETIC LIMBS
Prosthetic limbs already exist in our world today, and their technology and appearance is constantly evolving. Try looking at existing examples for inspiration.
STUDY THE SKELETON
A good base for creating any prosthetic part is the human skeleton. It’s what holds the body up. Since your prosthesis is providing essentially the same function, studying the way the skeleton works will give you an understanding of what the replacement should do.
THE FUTURE IS NOW
The modern is a good starting place, but it doesn’t have to be the finish line. Not all prosthetic parts have to be analogs for human limbs. Remember that in a sci-fi setting, it’s OK to use technology beyond what current science has discovered.
STUDY THE SKULL
Before you try drawing face prostheses, study the human skull and then sketch it out. Placing the skull beneath the face will illustrate the natural curves and hollows; it will also give you an idea of what parts can be replaced.
FACE PROSTHESES
In today’s world, facial prosthetic parts already exist. A lot are discreet by nature—designed to disguise injuries and scars—but in a sci-fi world, they don’t have to be subtle. Depending on the setting, facial prostheses might be eye-catching by design or even tailored to a wearer’s stylistic whims.
HIGH-TECH ACCESSORIES
As you consider enhancements for your characters, remember that you aren’t bound by existing technology. In the future, characters might wear high-tech jewelry, get manicures with computer-chipped nails or even work nanotechnology into the ink of their tattoos. If high-tech body art could harness the bio-electric energy of our bodies, low cell phone batteries would be a thing of the past. (If the future has cell phones, that is.)
Personalized Design
Prostheses can be as varied as their wearers. They should be functional, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be decorative as well.
PRETTY PAINT JOB
Just like clothing, prosthetic limbs can be styled to suit the wearer.
CHIC AND SMOOTH
A sleek lower leg with a decorative element to represent the calf muscle offers a simple look.
A PEEK INSIDE
The cage work on this prosthesis is shaped like the lower leg, but you can see through it to the metal base.
STEAMPUNK STYLE
Try something that’s high-tech but mimics the low-tech—with wire pulleys for show.
Crafted for a Purpose
People have a lot of pastimes, and that doesn’t change just because they need a prosthetic limb. To accommodate your characters’ hobbies, feel free to create a mechanized limb specifically for an activity they enjoy. To get you started, take a look at these examples of designs that already exist in our contemporary world.
BASEBALL
This ball-shaped catcher substitutes for a mitt.
ICE SKATING
Except for the laces, this prosthetic foot looks just like an ice skate.
RUNNING
Running blades maximize performance for those with prosthetic legs.
Put the “Fi” in Sci-Fi
Now that we’ve looked at the ordinary, go crazy and try for the extraordinary. In a sci-fi setting, it’s OK to dream big. What makes sense for Earth isn’t necessarily the same thing that makes sense for a distant planet or outer space or a world thousands of years in the future.
