Paralyzed Man Feels Again with Mind-Controlled Robotic Arm
In brief
- A paralyzed man has used a brain implant to control a robotic arm and feel touch for the first time.
- The device translates signals from his brain into movement and sends back sensations, allowing him to shake hands with others.
- This marks a major step in the field of brain-computer interfaces.
- The man, Scott Imbrie, was paralyzed after a car accident in 1985.
- He regained some movement over time but was not a good candidate for research until 2020.
- Since then, he has been part of a trial that uses electrodes implanted in the brain to control robotic limbs and provide feedback.
- This technology has been tested on very few people, but it shows promise for helping others with paralysis.
- Researchers are now working to improve the technology and make it more widely available.
- Future studies may explore how well the system works over time and whether it can be used for other tasks.
- Scientists are also looking into ways to make the implants safer and easier to use.
Read full story at IEEE Spectrum →
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