Vet who survived grenade attack first to get ‘Call of Duty’ bionic arm

By Tom Bevan

A female US Army vet who nearly died in a grenade attack in Iraq has become the first in the world to be fitted with a new 'hero' bionic arm - inspired by "Call of Duty."

Danielle Green lost her left arm while serving in Baghdad 20 years ago and has struggled with everyday tasks ever since.

But now, in a world-first, the 48-year-old says she wants to inspire fellow vets and amputees - and finally feels 'complete' after being fitted with the Hero RGD.

The rugged new limb, described as the world's stongest bionic arm, has been developed by UK robotics firm Open Bionics with a design inspired by the "Call of Duty: Black Ops 7" game.

Danielle’s Hero RGD can lift up to 35 kilograms, absorb heavy shocks, and operate reliably in wet conditions. It includes brushless motors and spring-loaded fingers capable of closing in just 0.4 seconds, and is the fastest multi-grip bionic hand available today.

Danielle, 48, of Chicago, US, who lost her arm to a rocket-propelled grenade in Baghdad in 2004, said: “I love my bionic arm. It gives me balance, it makes me feel whole, makes me feel complete.

“As a female combat veteran wearing this arm in public, I know it’s about more than just me.

"Little girls who’ve lost a limb see someone like them moving forward with confidence. Their parents see it too, and it creates a ripple effect of awareness and possibility.

“In the military, we never leave anyone behind, and that’s how I see this project.

"This is my way of helping hundreds of thousands of veterans who are looking for employment or a new purpose in life.”

Danielle, an Army Military Police soldier, said her life changed forever on May 25, 200,4 when she lost her left arm in combat while serving in Baghdad.

She recalls springing into action when a rocket-propelled grenade almost hit a barricade two stories below.

She added, " I grabbed my M4, got into position, and then another grenade landed near me. In an instant, my left arm was gone."

The new device includes custom covers co-designed with the Call of Duty Endowment, a non-profit that helps veterans transition into high-quality civilian careers.

It was unveiled this week during the Call of Duty Endowment Bowl VI. showcase in Las Vegas.

Danielle said her new arm has already transformed daily routines.

She added, “When I’m chopping a cucumber, tomato, or onion, the arm keeps food steady so it doesn’t roll away. I can confidently hold a pot or skillet in place.

"Before, I had to balance the handle of the pot against my stomach. Now I can just hold it with my bionic arm, which feels natural. It also takes stress off my sound hand, which makes a difference day to day.”

Open Bionics, headquartered in Bristol in the UK, has spent more than four years and £2 million developing its new bionic arms, incorporating feedback from more than 1,000 amputees.

The Hero RGD is engineered to withstand the rigours of active work and daily life, combining titanium joints with high-strength Nylon PA12.

Danielle's Hero RGD was finished with covers created in collaboration with the Call of Duty Endowment to reflect her strength and identity.

She added, "This collaboration feels like another way to serve.

"In Baghdad, I had eight teammates with me when I was injured. Every one of them played a part in keeping me alive.

"If anyone had failed, I would not be here. That memory reminds me daily to help whoever I can. I never imagined I would be here today, serving in a new way in the gaming community, in the prosthetic community, bringing worlds together."

Founded in 2009 by Activision, publisher of the Call of Duty franchise, the Endowment has helped place more than 125,000 veterans into meaningful employment across the U.S. and U.K.

Samantha Payne MBE, Co-Founder of Open Bionics, said: "When Activision reached out, we saw an opportunity to celebrate a true hero.

“The Hero RGD was built for people who need reliability and strength in every part of their day. This technology is designed to keep up with the way veterans live and work.”