The first robotic prosthesis controlled by the wearer's mind is ready to hit the European market.
In 2006, Christian Kandlbauerwas electrocuted by 20,000 volts. The accident resulted in Kandlebauer losing both of his arms. However, today, Christian can dress himself, drive, and do a multitude of other things that otherwise wouldn't be possible without his special combination of regular and mind-controlled robotic prosthesis. Christian's situation is unique in that, while his right arm is a regular prosthetic limb, his left is a robotic arm which he controls with his mind.
The BBC reports that Christian is the first man to drive a car with a mind-controlled prosthetic but soon, there could be hundreds of people just like Christian. According to the Beeb, experts at Otto Bock Healthcare, the medical technology company responsible for developing the mind-controlled arm, say the arm is almost ready for prime time.
Using the prosthesis involves a new technique known as targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR). TMR calls for nerves that once controlled a lost limb to be used to control the prosthesis, which means they need to be transplanted to the chest muscles in a six-hour operation. The nerves in the chest muscles receive electrical impulses from the brain and the muscles act like a booster, amplifying the signal. This signal is picked up by electrodes on the surface of the chest and interpreted by a micro-computer that controls the arm. The result is real-time movement in response to Christian's thoughts.
Otto Bock Healthcare this week announced that after four years of testing with Christian, the arm is ready for sale. Full details of how the technology works have yet to be released but Dr. Hubert Egger, head of research and development of the project, will be publishing technical and surgical guidelines with his team.
*Image via BBC
Jokes aside, this is amazing technology and it is incredibly exciting to see such devices coming to market. Seeing human innovation pull off what were once only found in science fiction makes the future extremely exciting. I can't wait to see what else people can do.
Jokes aside, this is amazing technology and it is incredibly exciting to see such devices coming to market. Seeing human innovation pull off what were once only found in science fiction makes the future extremely exciting. I can't wait to see what else people can do.
Except for the fact you are missing an arm...
What a bleak and depressing world you must live in...
I'm guessing he lives in the developing (read: poor) world.
It sure is nice to live in the rich ass world I live in though!
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-05/bioelectric-nanotube-transistor-could-bring-biology-and-machines-closer-together
Here is something that can push this technology forward a bit,
I guess it all depends on your priorities and your bank acct.
Although I am securely in the ranks of "fans of human technology",
I am also cognizant of the realities of application: those with
huge bank accounts, or slick lawyers, or fat insurance companies
can of course afford these blessings. Most of the rest of us
cannot. "tough shit", for us. misinterpret me not, I am happy,
truly, for anyone who can benefit from human technology in this
way. My best friend lost his legs beneath a train,
and I know the horror. I turniq'd his "stumps" and carried him
to help on my back. His knees were saved, and I thanked God.. he
could walk on prostheses (the old-fashioned kind) after months of
therapy. But I feel human greed and human overpopulation will
always stand in the way of human love and human beneficence.
Hence, I place no faith in it personally. My faith is elsewhere.
Strange last name.... Kandlebauerwas...Or is it Kandlebauer? There's a space bar nearby.
I guess social security (public health care, etc) ain't that bad after all... As it gets democratized and proven efficient for many cases, I'm sure that is something we (Canadians) can expect to be offered, regardless of our bank account.
In Solviet Russia, cyerarm controls you!
Seriously, though, having an arm when before you had none is a good thing. Don't know how I'd feel if they perverted this technology to replace working extremities for upgraded ones, though.
Cool! I need one to whip my ass.
Okay, I'm being knit-picky here I know, but technically he wasn't electrocuted since the definition of electrocuted is to kill as a result of an electric shock. Thankfully, Mr. Kandlbauer is very much alive.