Colombian Designer Wins 2026 James Dyson Award With Prosthetic Socket
Pereira designer Laura Echeverri Giraldo won the 2026 James Dyson Award Colombia with Encaja, a system designed to reduce production costs and simplify the fabrication of personalized upper-limb prosthetic sockets. The project uses a smartphone to capture the shape of a person’s residual limb, then combines 3D scanning, generative design and digital manufacturing to create […]
Colombian designer Laura Echeverri Giraldo secured the 2026 James Dyson Award for her innovative prosthetic socket system, Encaja. Early 3D printing prototypes revealed discomfort caused by direct contact between the printed socket and human skin. Echeverri's solution aims to reduce production costs and simplify fabrication of personalized upper-limb prosthetic sockets.
Utilizing a smartphone, users capture the shape of their residual limb through 3D scanning. Generative design algorithms then generate a fabrication-ready digital file compatible with 3D printing and laser cutting technologies. This approach eliminates the need for manual design processes typically requiring hours of work from certified prosthetists.
Focusing on the prosthetic socket, Echeverri recognized its critical role as the primary connection between the device and the human body. Poorly fitted sockets lead to discomfort, while conventional custom manufacturing is time-consuming. Encaja addresses this through digital processes.
The modular socket pairs a removable foam liner with a universal connector for interchangeable tools, enabling users to adapt the socket and accessories to various activities without replacing the entire system. During testing, Echeverri developed attachments such as a fork, demonstrating the system's versatility.
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