Amputee able to move robotic hand with his mind

[n2doc]

Associated Press
December 5, 2009

Rome - A group of European scientists said Wednesday that they have successfully connected a robotic hand to an amputee, enabling him to feel sensations in the artificial limb and control it with his thoughts.

The experiment lasted a month, and scientists say it was the first time a patient has been able to make complex movements using his mind to control a biomechanic hand connected to his nervous system.

The Italian-led team said at a news conference in Rome that last year it implanted electrodes into the arm of the patient who had lost his left hand and forearm in a car accident. The prosthetic was not implanted on the patient, only connected through the electrodes.

During the news conference, video was shown of 26-year-old Pierpaolo Petruzziello as he concentrated to give orders to the hand placed next to him.

"It's a matter of mind, of concentration," Petruzziello said. "When you think of it as your hand and forearm, it all becomes easier."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-robot-arm5-2009dec05,0,2955043.story

[Dennis Donovan]

1. A real-life Steve Austin!

Very cool story - rec'd...

[JonQ]

2. Awesome

obviously there is a long ways to go. But this is very promising.

[Odin2005]

3. AWESOME!

[phasma ex machina]

4. Great find. Thanks for sharing. nt

[RT Atlanta]

5. Very cool

this was the first image that came to me (from 'Empire Strikes Back'):

[sakabatou]

6. Auto-mail anyone?