Robotic Hand Successfully Connected To Amputee

European scientists said Wednesday that a six month experiment, where an amputee was fitted with a thought controlled prosthetic hand, has been a success. According to a CBC report, "the scientists say it was the first time a patient has been able to make complex movements using his mind to control a biomechanical hand connected to his nervous system."

Twenty six year old Pierpaolo Petruzziello, who lost his hand and forearm in an automobile accident says "It's a matter of mind, of concentration... When you think of it as your hand and forearm, it all becomes easier."

The scientists believe it is an important next step, however, "The important piece that remains is how long beyond a month we can keep the electrodes in." said Dustin Tyler, a professor at Case Western Reserve University and biomedical engineer at the VA Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

Thought Driven Wheelchair Demonstrated

Researchers in Japan, backed by automaker Toyota, have demonstrated a thought driven wheelchair that is said to have achieved as much as 95% accuracy rates. According to this CBC article "The system measures electrical activity in the brain through five electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes placed above the areas of the brain that handle motor movement. The sensors interpret the signals they pick up and translate them into motion." The technology, still in the developmental stage, is hoped to be useful for rehabilitation and for support of people who use the vehicles. Japan has an aging population and as the result an active robotics industry, with much support and encouragement from the government which is facing a demographic shift.

Neck Worn Device Captures Thoughts To Produce Voice

A device called the Audeo, developed by Ambient converts your thoughts into speech allowing for a voiceless telephone conversation or, as described in the video below, could be used in conjunction with Wi-Fi to do a quick Internet search, in your head... so to speak, or not? The Audeo is worn around your neck and interprets the signals the brain sends to your vocal cords, apparently even when you just think of a word the brain send the signal. The Audeo recognizes about 150 words and phrases currently and is said to be at the state that voice recognition software was at in the early days. The device is being promoted as not only having applications for the speech impaired but also for those of us who would choose not to speak out load. I was not blown away by the video but considering it is early stages it is still impressive... until of course, someone discovers the man behind the curtain ;-)

Thought Driven Game Controller Later This Year

A US/Australian neuro-engineering company, Emotiv, has developed a game controller that gets it's instructions from your brain. Using a technology known as non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG) to read neural activity, the $299 headset controller can be used to give authentic facial expressions to avatars in virtual worlds and to manipulate a game or virtual environment naturally using only your thoughts. "This is the first headset that doesn't require a large net of electrodes, or a technician to calibrate or operate it and does require gel on the scalp," said Tan Le, president of Emotiv. "It also doesn't cost tens of thousands of dollars." This is reminiscent of a very bad Clint Eastwood film, Firefox, in which a US pilot steals a super secret Russian fighter jet that is equipped with such a system... hmmm perhaps Emotiv should produce a Firefox companion game? BBC news story here.