This Robotic Wheelchair is Being Controlled By a Monkey's Brain

Mar 04, 2016, 21:54

The brain-machine interface works by utilizing signals from neurons in two regions of the monkey's brain, regions specifically involved with sensation and movement.

The technology seems promising, but it will have to overcome two barriers to become useful to humans. The arrays were implanted in areas that control limb movement and planning. Then the wireless BMI translated their cortical activity to direct the speed and direction of the robotic wheelchair.

Then the monkeys attempted to control the wheelchair by thinking. Using that system, the monkeys were able to drive the wheelchair toward a randomly placed bowl of fruit using only their thoughts after just a few days of training.

The experiment. Image Scientific Reports

Mind-controlled machines have been the subject of intense research in recent years, with a focus on improving the lives of people with disabilities. They made monkey wheel towards a bowl of fruits.

In the new study, researchers from Duke University attempted to explore more about BMIs through monkeys.

While research with animals often fails to provide similar results with humans, the scientists said they will conduct more research with monkeys before considering tests of the technology in people.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has one eye on planning for next season
I think we all had some criticism for Liverpool left back and goalkeeper after yesterday's final, with Jamie Carragher even going as far as to suggest dropping Alberto Moreno and Simon Mignolet.

The researchers said that they want to build implantable suites of electrodes capable of recording the activity of several thousand. "We're assuming that this could go for a decade, which for me would be a benchmark that we need for human clinical trials", Nicolelis says. With this, scientists have been developing brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) to enhance such assistive devices and enable brain control to lead the navigation. However, it is unknown if recordings from cortical implants in the brain could be translated into whole-body movements.

There have been other studies involving thought-controlled wheelchairs, but most rely on EEG and a wired model along with some physical capability in the user. The group developed a mind-controlled exoskeleton used by a paralyzed patient to make the ceremonial first kick at the 2014 World Cup. Aside from that, about 70 percent of paralyzed individuals are amenable to undergo surgical implantation of electrodes in their brains to have control over such devices.

With help from those implants, patients could grasp a better control over their wheelchairs than with a noninvasive technology.

Leicester in pole position as Spurs, Arsenal, City lose
All four have thrived under Pochettino and so have been on top form and hardly at fault this season. Arsenal are three points behind Spurs heading to White Hart Lane this weekend.

In a statement provided to LATimes News, the monkeys were neither immobilized nor even strapped into their wheelchairs.

Overview of the experimental design (above): (A) The mobile robotic wheelchair was moved from one of the three starting locations (dashed circles) to a grape dispenser. "Our data shows that the wheelchair is being assimilated by the monkey's brain as an extension of its bodily representation of itself", he said, "In essence the wheelchair is becoming a part of the monkey's body".

Manuel Pellegrini wants to replace Steve McClaren at Newcastle after Chelsea snub
It obviously piles the pressure on that we didn't get that result, but honestly the main focus is Bournemouth. We said we were in a fight which started on Wednesday - we continue it on Saturday".