Monkey uses brain signals to feed itself with robotic arm
Scientists found that monkeys can control robotic arms with their thoughts
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Thursday, 29, May 2008 12:22
A monkey has successfully fed itself using a human-like robotic arm just by using brain signals, scientists have claimed.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine say the monkey created fluid, well-controlled movements after being trained to control the movements with the power of its thoughts.
They are hopeful the breakthrough could benefit development of prosthetics for people with spinal cord injuries and those with conditions such as Lou Gehrig's disease.
The monkey moved a robotic arm to feed itself marshmallows and chunks of fruit while its own arms were restrained.
Computer software interprets signals picked up by probes inserted into neuronal pathways in the monkey's motor cortex, a brain region where voluntary movement originates as electrical impulses.
The neurons' collective activity is then evaluated using software programmed with a mathematic algorithm and then sent to the arm, which carries out the actions the monkey intended to perform with its own limb.
"Our immediate goal is to make a prosthetic device for people with total paralysis," said Dr Andrew Schwartz, senior author and professor of neurobiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
"Ultimately our goal is to better understand brain complexity. The more we understand about the brain, the better we’ll be able to treat a wide range of brain disorders, everything from Parkinson's disease and paralysis to, eventually, Alzheimer's disease and perhaps even mental illness."
The study is published in the journal Nature.