Mind Control of Robot Arm
From: The Scientist - 05/16/2012
By: Jef Akst

Two paralyzed patients successfully manipulate a robotic arm just by thinking
about how they would move their own limbs if they could. 

Two patients who lost the use of their limbs (and the ability to speak)
following brainstem strokes successfully reached out and touched a foam ball,
thanks to a small array of electrodes implanted on their motor cortexes and a
robotic arm that followed the command of their neurons, according to a Nature
paper published today (May 16). 

Read the entire article and view a video (4:30) at:
http://the-scientist.com:80/2012/05/16/mind-control-of-robot-arm/

Links:
Leigh R. Hochberg
http://www.braingate2.org/hochberg.asp

Reach and grasp by people with tetraplegia using a neurally-controlled robotic arm
http://www.nature.com/news/mind-controlled-robot-arms-show-promise-1.10652

Braingate
http://braingate2.org/index.asp

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Paralyzed, Moving a Robot with Their Minds
From: New York Times - 05/16/2012
By: Benedict Carey 

Researchers have demonstrated that humans with severe brain injuries can
effectively control a prosthetic arm using brain implants that transmit
neural signals to a computer. The researchers say their brain-computer
interface could enable people with brain and spinal cord injuries to live
more independent lives. “It is a spectacular result, in many respects, and
really the logical next step in the development of this technology," says
University of Montreal researcher John Kalaska, who was not involved in the
study. As part of the study, two quadriplegic patients each had a tiny sensor
injected just below the skull, in an area of the motor cortex known to be
active when people move their arms or hands. The patients learned to move a
robot arm by watching the researchers move the arm and imagining they were
actually controlling it. The sensor transmitted their neurons' firing
patterns from the imaginary movement to a computer, which recorded the
patterns and translated them into an electronic command. Both patients were
able to move the robotic arm and hand skillfully enough to pick up foam
objects. The researchers note that their system is still experimental, and
several hurdles remain before the technology becomes practical. 

Read the entire article at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/science/bodies-inert-they-moved-a-robot-with-their-minds.html