First Mind-Controllable Artificial Arm Gives Hope of Independence

Germany's Otto Bock health care has created the first-ever prosthetic arm that can be controlled by the patient's own mind.

At the age of 17, Christian Kandlbauer, lost both arms in an accident.

Four years on, he's been fitted with a limb he can control by thinking.

[Christian Kandlbauer, Prothetic Patient]:
"This prosthetic feels like my own hand before the accident. With this hand I can feel again, I can detect pressure and vibration."

The device uses the nerves that previously controlled his arm -- now transplanted to his chest.

Electrical signals from the brain are sent to the nerves and decoded by the arm's computer.

Dr Hubert Egger, of developers Otto Bock, say the device can make a real difference for users.

[Dr. Hubert Egger, Otto Bock]:

"It's about constructing a prosthesis in such a way that it means as much quality of life for people as possible, and that it even creates quality of life."

Egger said the aim was to construct a prosthesis as close to reality as possible.

[Dr. Hubert Egger, Otto Bock]:
"At the moment, with this prosthesis that feels like a real hand, we can learn how far the result differs depending on the compromises we make, and then in hindsight evaluate the compromises as they affect the quality of the results."

Christian Kandlbauer says his hope is to eventually live independently.

[Christian Kandlbauer, Prothetic Patient]:
"I got the driving licence in October, so the next big step is to live alone, really live alone, completely self-sufficient and independent, without needing help from others any more. That is actually the key thing."

The technology cost millions to develop, but the cost should come down and with around with an estimated 10 million amputees world-wide, there are plenty of people who could benefit.

Category:

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[3dimensionalJoe]

@Egotoastbrot ever read the part where it said "JOKING". Holy shit, calm down.

[Egotoastbrot]

@3dimensionalJoe so how do nazis sound like? asshole

[3dimensionalJoe]

they sound like nazis, lol joking.

[A1R5N1P3R]

Now. What if this research for the disabled to control artificial limbs using their brain is in fact really perfecting how to effectively control the mind via device?

[TasteoFail]

@MrMustachi01 If I lose an arm or two and get them augmented, im dressing like Adam Jensen

[MrMustachi01]

wow. Soon, we will be having a REAL LIFE deus ex soon...

[cwaug20]

It is Austria and not Germany wtf -.-

[javoman13]

nice.

[FractalBolt]

He died? That's one of the prices for technology, so don't bitch about it

[JahobesDaGreatest]

@imowtflol

Karma is a bitch my friend... yeah this guy is an idiot, but rarely is death a laughing matter.