Mind-Controlled Bionic Limbs Holding Promise, and the Demand is Growing
From: IEEE News Releases - 09/01/2011

The age-old fascination with machines mimicking humans has frequently
manifested itself in science fiction literature and cinema, mainly because
authors and directors could only wildly speculate about these human robots
since none had been built yet. According to bionic limb experts at IEEE, the
world’s largest professional technical association, the distinction between
science fiction and reality is increasingly becoming blurred. In fact, bionic
limbs are now giving patients the ability to regain use of amputated limbs
via prosthetics, powered by the brain itself. 

Today, bionic limbs are greatly improving the quality of life for amputees
through mobility assistance, which provides assistive technologies that
imitate extensions of the human body - structurally and neurologically. By
connecting with the patient's sensory systems, the bionic limbs of tomorrow
will enable completion of dexterous tasks with the familiar sensory feeling
of a natural appendage. 

Read the entire article at:
http://www.ieee.org/about/news/2011/1sept_2011.html

Links:
A Manhattan Project for the Prosthetic Arms Race (with video)
http://spectrum.ieee.org/video/biomedical/bionics/a-manhattan-project-for-the-prosthetic-arms-race

Dean Kamen's Artificial Arm (with video)
http://spectrum.ieee.org/video/biomedical/bionics/dean-kamens-artificial-arm

Darpa's prosthetic arm gives amputees new hope
http://spectrum.ieee.org/robotics/medical-robots/winner-the-revolution-will-be-prosthetized