MIT conjures up algorithm for neural prosthetic device
A team of MIT researchers have crafted "a new algorithm to help create prosthetic devices that convert brain signals into action in patients who have been paralyzed or had limbs amputated." Essentially, neural prosthetic devices "represent an engineer's approach to treating paralysis and amputation," and this particular process utilizes a method called graphical models which represents the "mathematical relationship" between what a human attempts to do and the "neural manifestation" of that goal. Granted, even the gurus hard at work on this stuff admit that it's quite a ways from being pushed out to the public, but there's already plans in place to convert the algorithm into a usable device in due time.[Via CNET, image courtesy of MIT]
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Wearables
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
granny down east @ Oct 4th 2007 9:56PM
"What the mind can conceive, the hands can achieve." I wonder who said that?
DarkAardvark @ Oct 4th 2007 10:03PM
YES! hopefully this technology will be awesome in 70 years so i can become a cyborg and live forever...
ar ar ar
mushrooshi @ Oct 4th 2007 10:10PM
I hope this will be on the new iTunes U.
At school, we now are allowed to listen to iPods as long as we listen to iTunes U stuff, and of course since iTunes music works only on iPods, any of the non-iPOds aren't allowed. Hehehe.
Sorry for my little tangent.
How do these prosthetics things hook up to brain synapses?
Enki @ Oct 4th 2007 10:14PM
While I think that this is cool, I would love to see new treaments using genetic research.
paul34 @ Oct 4th 2007 10:31PM
That man is obviously extremely pleased with his diagram!
toronado455 @ Oct 5th 2007 4:59AM
^^^LOL!!!
Douglas @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:37PM
Considering the years of research and night art classes it took to develop, he should be. (There's a joke there, in case someone might miss it.)
Josh @ Oct 4th 2007 10:52PM
This is great news for those who have lost a ligament.
That shot was definitely candid /sarcasm
WifeBeater3000 @ Oct 4th 2007 11:03PM
This + Wifi = Mind Controlled Robots.
BRING IT!
Josh L @ Oct 4th 2007 11:47PM
The WiFi will be superfluous when MIT can use this algorithm to enhance my latent psychic abilities.
Hammond X @ Oct 4th 2007 11:49PM
Only an engadget user would characterize this potentially wonderful development as "I guess that's OK, but how about....?"
iofthestorm @ Oct 5th 2007 12:44AM
Really cool, could help lots of people who have lost a limb.
Btw, is anyone else reminded of this?
http://xkcd.com/269/
Brad @ Oct 5th 2007 8:31AM
F'king amazing! I was injured in a car accident 3yrs ago leaving me a quadriplegic but my spinal cord intact. This is genius! PLEASE be a breakthrough.
tchiseen @ Oct 5th 2007 12:41PM
@brad - what kinda keyboard u using there champ?
Brad @ Oct 5th 2007 12:49PM
I use this http://www.assistiveware.com/keystrokes.php and then this for a mouse http://www.orin.com/access/headmouse/ and I have an infra red switch mounted on the side of my lensless glasses so that whenn I blink/twitch it clicks.