Filed under: Computers
A monkey named Arthur who wants a marshmallow could hold the answer to how paraplegics may soon be able to control robotic limbs and hands with their brains.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have implanted microelectrodes into the monkey’s brain that measure signals and translate them into commands that move a robotic arm, in this case grabbing a marshmallow and moving the arm to the monkey’s mouth. The goal of the research program is to develop prosthetic limbs for people who have suffered spinal cord injuries, lost a limb or who have limited capabilities due to disease.
The researchers have found that certain motor neurons fire in a certain way depending on which direction the monkey wants to move the robotic arm. It takes about three days for a monkey to learn how to move the arm, and the animal’s limbs are gently restrained while connected to the machine so they can’t grab the marshmallow themselves. After a while, they don’t even try to use their arms to reach for the treat.
Once they refine the process for controlling an arm, the researchers will focus on developing a more complex wrist and jointed fingers, which will allow for more precise movement. According to one of the researchers, the monkeys are quite motivated to do their part in the experiments. “They sure like eating their marshmallows,” he says.
Indeed. [Source: Reuters]
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