Scientists at the always-progressive Johns Hopkins have been working on an electronic, inner-ear "balancing" device that could help correct problems like unsteadiness, disequilibrium or wobbly vision (no, really). The device -- which couples a head-mounted, matchbook-size box, and up to eight surgically implanted electrodes -- corrects problems by measuring and transmitting 3D balance information to the brain via the vestibular nerve. Researchers say they're working on downsizing and hermetically sealing the implant so that it can fit
inside the head and beneath the skin. Up until now, the devices have been tested on chinchillas, whom scientists cruelly dosed with an antibiotic that creates balancing problems (we suppose there were no wobbly people around), then attached implants to the animals and discovered that they "partially regained their vision-stabilizing reflex." While we don't condone testing on adorable rodents here at Engadget, we do love a Borg-esque head attachment from time to time.
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posted Sep 12th 2007 2:05AM
LMAO @ Borg drone
you wouldnt be saying that if you saw a real one!!
man this was done like 5 years ago! give it a break.
I thought it was just a giant lead weight that would balance you out - what's this electrode nonsense?
chinchillas? those have 4 legs... how can something with 4 legs lack balance? my chair has 4 legs and no brain and its doin just fine
ever play twister?
Or tie a towel or tube sock around a cat's midsection? :)
My chinchilla stands on his hind legs only very often. I'd say whenever he's not running or sleeping, he's only using two of the four.
I for one welcome our undsteady (drunk?) overlords!
Finally you can get really drunk and walk straight :)
I usually find that the wobblyeyes is a side effect of wearing beer goggles.
So it's basically a wii remote you implant in your head?
Anyway, this is good news for me cos I had my balance destroyed by the same antibiotic.
I'm not a chinchilla, btw.
Resistance is futile
-when less than 1 Ohm, yes.
Am I the only one who finds the phrase "wobbly people" extremely funny? No really, say it out loud.
I think I have a balance problem.....it usually happens when I hear a low note on a guitar. :(
Oh my! A non-iphone related post - what is the world coming to! ;)
More on topic - how do they test the animals for balance, do they ask them to rub their tummy and top of the head in a circular motion at the same time?
no, they walk a straight line, in the middle of the road next to their cars, and then touch their nose while reciting the alphabet.. that's just before you catch them with a few ounces of cocaine..
oh, wait, chinchillas, not lindsay lohan...
Chinchillas are NOT adorable, they bite like hell.
Is that Picard?