Boy, 6, receives prosthetic arm created by UCF engineering students

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A Lake County boy received a new prosthetic arm at the University of Central Florida campus Friday.

The functioning prosthetic arm was designed by UCF students and cost just $350 to manufacture.

The students developed the prosthetic arm with no funding and Alex Pring, 6, was the first recipient of the arm. Pring and his mother told WFTV the arm, which was designed and created using a 3-D printer, is life changing for them.

"I want to be able to shake everyone's hand, even hug mommy," he said.

The team of engineering students were there for the boy's first two-arm hug. Their creation may someday change the industry of prosthetics.

"I hope that people look at these other arms that cost $40,000," graduate student Albert Manero said. "If we can do this for just $350 in 8 weeks, I'm sure we're going to keep pioneering."

For the first time in the boy's life, he can hold anything using two hands.

"Now it's more emotional because seeing all the things he can do and how happy he is, that's a lot," parent Alyson Pring said.

Alex Pring was able to go home with his new arm on Friday.

The students are giving away the arm's design for free to anyone who needs it. The team said it's also working on a prosthetic arm with a functioning elbow.

WFTV