Teen Wins Top Prize For Building Remote-Controlled Robotic Hand

Thomas Aldus, a 14-year-old from Pittsburgh, won a $25,000 prize at the Broadcom Masters competition for designing a robotic hand. The hand is intended for use in emergency operations where human presence is risky. Thomas explains the hand's functionality, which mimics human movements, and shares that he developed it over six months independently. He plans to pursue science or engineering in college and is working on smaller projects. Thomas intends to use the prize money for future research and college savings for himself and his siblings.

What inspired Thomas to build the robotic hand?

How does the robotic hand operate in relation to Thomas's own hand movements?

What was the duration of time Thomas spent designing and building the robotic hand?

What are Thomas's future aspirations regarding his education and career?

How does Thomas plan to use the $25,000 prize money he won?