Monkeys have been able to control robotic limbs using only their thoughts, scientists report.
The animals were able to feed themselves using prosthetic arms, which were controlled by brain activity.
Small probes, the width of a human hair, were inserted into the monkeys' primary motor cortex - the region of the brain that controls movement.
Writing in Nature journal, the authors said their work could eventually help amputees and people who are paralysed.
Lead researcher Dr Andrew Schwartz, who is based at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, said: "We are beginning to understand how the brain works using brain-machine interface technology.
"The more we understand about the brain, the better we'll be able to treat a wide range of brain disorders, everything from Parkinson's disease and paralysis to, eventually, Alzheimer's disease and perhaps even mental illness."
natural movement
With the probes inserted into the monkeys' motor cortices, computer software was used to interpret the brain's electrical impulses and translate them into movement through the robotic arm.
This arm was jointed like a human arm and possessed a "gripper" that mimics a hand.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7423184.stm
fucking sweet
Video in link.
In related news: Chimps have a better memory than us.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7124156.stm
The animals were able to feed themselves using prosthetic arms, which were controlled by brain activity.
Small probes, the width of a human hair, were inserted into the monkeys' primary motor cortex - the region of the brain that controls movement.
Writing in Nature journal, the authors said their work could eventually help amputees and people who are paralysed.
Lead researcher Dr Andrew Schwartz, who is based at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, said: "We are beginning to understand how the brain works using brain-machine interface technology.
"The more we understand about the brain, the better we'll be able to treat a wide range of brain disorders, everything from Parkinson's disease and paralysis to, eventually, Alzheimer's disease and perhaps even mental illness."
natural movement
With the probes inserted into the monkeys' motor cortices, computer software was used to interpret the brain's electrical impulses and translate them into movement through the robotic arm.
This arm was jointed like a human arm and possessed a "gripper" that mimics a hand.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7423184.stm
fucking sweet
Video in link.
In related news: Chimps have a better memory than us.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7124156.stm
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