Could 'robotic' prostheses be possible in the victorian era?

In my world I would like to have a cyborg-inspired veteran, but am not sure what kinds of prostheses would be possible, ideally without the use of electrics.

My main concern is how the prostheses might be controlled (or whether they need to be controlled in the first place), since processing input and translating it into mechanical action is covered by the sophistication of existing technologies in my world.

E.g. I have lost a leg and built a replica of my leg capable of moving in all ways a natural leg would move. I can strap it to myself, but have no way of 'steering' it. Does it respond based on the angle of my foot relative to gravity? Do I attach a string and use it like a puppet?

Prostheses I would be interested in would be

1. Leg prostheses
   hip disarticulation, transfemoral prosthesis, knee disarticulation, transtibial prosthesis, Syme's amputation, foot, partial foot, and toe
2. Arm prostheses
   forequarter, shoulder disarticulation, transhumeral prosthesis, elbow disarticulation, transradial prosthesis
3. Hand prostheses
   wrist disarticulation, full hand, partial hand, finger, partial finger

posted almost 6 years ago

A Lambent Eye‭

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