DARPA is working hard to advance prosthetics  technology, the result will be a limb that is easier to control and have improved run time compared to current devices.

"The four-year Revolutionizing Prosthetics 2009 program will create a neurally controlled artificial limb that will restore full motor and sensory capability to upper extremity amputee patients. This revolutionary prosthesis will be controlled, feel, look and perform like the native limb. At the end of the fouryear program, the resulting prosthesis will be ready for human clinical trials. The goal of this program is to produce a prosthetic that will be able to function as well as a normal human arm. Key to this is a prosthetic that has: sensors for the ability to sense the position of the arm and hand relative to other parts of the body, touch, temperature and vibration; power that will allow at least 24 hours of normal use; mechanical components that will provide strength and environmental tolerance (heat, cold, water, humidity, dust, etc.; and durability to last at least 10 years with normal use. The intent is that the amputee will be able to tolerate the prosthesis without any problems for 18 hours/day of use. This revolutionary mechanical arm will have the properties of a biological limb."