Monkeys ‘Move and Feel’ Virtual Objects Using Only Their Brains
Date: October 6th 2011
Summary (8-10 sentences)
Two monkeys learned how to use brain activity to move an avatar and identify the texture of virtual objects! This technology is trying to start to be used by quadriplegic patients so they can use thier arms or walk again. This is done by wearing a robotic exoskeleton so they can even feel the terrain they walk on. The monkeys used brain signals to move the body without actually moving their limbs. The texture of the objecst were virtual so they sent a current through the robot skeleton into the brain so the monkey could identify it. The purpose of the whole experiment was to help the people who are even completely paralized to be able to feel or move again. They say that this will be available to the public in the next few years. There was absolutley no movement of the limbs, just using brain waves to move.
What you found most interesting about the article and why.
I found that you can virtually touch things by just using your brain was amazing. Because they are using this to help people who have been paralized was pretty cool and it wasnt just mindless reasearch. I liked how you could slip on an exoskeleton to do the work for you. But since they said it would take a few more years to get the product to the public, that was kind of a bad thing I guess because it seems to already be done so why cant we just put it out there now for like a test run?
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I agree that this is amazing invention but if it’s goung to be avaliable to the public soon that means the military is already trying to get a contract with them so that they can use it as a war machine.
Watch the movie Avatar. The military wanted him tu use his avatar for them.
This is actually super awesome, I think. Most of the time I’m not really interested in the cardiology field and such, but actually learning that the sceintists have figured out a way to, basically, simulate the job of our senses. If they can do that, who knows what else they could do? Amazing job, Emily, I learn something new every day. 😉
-Lana
i thought it was really interesting about how they got that to work. and showed how it is so important to have our senses and how they work together to get our body moving thanks for this peaice.
This is very interesting! I liked this very much! Usually I wouldnt be in to this kind of thing but you made it fun to read. Good job! 🙂 The invention is very cool. I think it will make a big difference in the future.
Oh wow, that’s amazing. The fact that someone can actually feel things with their brain is incredible. I think that they’d have to make sure everything is perfect before releasing it to the public, so I can understand why they’re waiting.(:
I agree with you- why can’t we get this out to people who would benefit from the technology now!?!? Excellent summary- 100%