Tilly Lockey

Tilly Lockey is a bionic pioneer, keynote speaker, and technology advocate who transforms how audiences understand resilience, inclusive innovation, and the human potential unlocked through assistive technology. As the first person to wear Open Bionics' Hero Pro bionic hands in 2026 and co-designer of state-of-the-art prosthetics, she combines lived experience with hands-on product development to shape affordable, aspirational devices that enhance capability for millions. Her work spans presenting on Sky's FYI, winning CBBC's Got What It Takes? in 2021, and speaking at global forums including Good Shepherd Rehabilitation's Boundless Speaker Series and Singularity South Africa Summit 2026. Tilly equips organisations with actionable strategies for fostering genuine inclusivity, ethical innovation, and cultures where difference drives progress, leaving audiences inspired to challenge conventional thinking about disability and capability.

After surviving meningococcal septicaemia at 15 months old, which resulted in the amputation of both her arms, Tilly Lockey transformed personal adversity into a mission that has reshaped how the world views prosthetic technology and disability. Her journey from patient to pioneer has positioned her as one of the most influential voices in assistive technology, challenging outdated perceptions whilst driving innovation in the MedTech sector. From testing groundbreaking bionic devices to advocating for policy change and inspiring audiences globally, Tilly demonstrates how lived experience combined with technological advancement can create meaningful progress for millions.

Tilly's credibility stems from her pioneering work as one of the early adopters and co-developers of the Hero Arm, the world-renowned 3D-printed bionic arm produced by Bristol-based Open Bionics. In 2026, she reached another remarkable milestone, becoming the first person to wear Open Bionics' Hero Pro bionic hands, a next-generation advancement that further demonstrates her integral role in shaping the future of assistive technology. Through years of hands-on testing and product development, she has helped shape affordable assistive devices that enhance human capability whilst making them culturally accessible and aspirational. Her contributions extend beyond product refinement: she actively campaigns for equitable access to advanced prosthetics, highlighting the 2022 NHS policy change that now allows amputees who have used single-grip prosthetics for 12 months to access multi-grip bionic arms. Beyond the MedTech industry, Tilly has built a significant platform as a presenter, model, and social media influencer. She has presented on Sky's FYI children's news programme, won CBBC's singing competition Got What It Takes? in 2021, hosted radio shows at Spark Sunderland, and served on the national jury for Eurovision 2026. In June 2026, she delivered the keynote address at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation's Boundless Speaker Series, where she spoke to 200 attendees about how technology can restore capability and transform lives. Most recently, she participated in the Singularity South Africa Summit 2026 in October, exploring the future of human potential and technology for good alongside global thought leaders.

As a speaker, Tilly equips audiences with practical insights into resilience, inclusive innovation, and the transformative potential of emerging technologies. She demonstrates how organisations can foster genuine inclusivity whilst harnessing technological advancement to enhance human capability, showing leaders how to build cultures where difference drives progress. Her presentations connect personal experience with broader industry trends, from humanoid robotics to accessible design, offering actionable strategies for creating environments where everyone can thrive. Audiences leave with renewed perspective on overcoming adversity, practical approaches to inclusive innovation, and inspiration to challenge conventional thinking about disability and capability. Tilly's message centres on ethical innovation: keeping technology rooted in genuine human need, consulting those who live differently, and ensuring advancement serves to change lives rather than merely showcase possibility. Her work continues to push boundaries in prosthetic development whilst reshaping how society views disability, capability, and human potential.