Two years ago, the world marvelled as Jan Scheuermann, a quadriplegic woman, moved a robotic arm using her mind. Her motions were awkward and clunky as she grabbed a chocolate bar full-fisted, like a baby, easing it towards her face for a nibble.
Now, she can not just grab a chocolate bar, she can pinch a piece, eat it, and give the thumbs-up, if it’s particularly tasty. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh spent two years fine-tuning the technology and the computer algorithm that translates the electricity emitted from neurons firing in Scheuermann’s brain to the movements of the robotic arm. Now, instead of moving in just seven dimensions, the robotic hand can move in ten different dimensions.
Watch as Scheuermann demonstrates the new abilities, as she more nimbly—though still occasionally clumsily—picks up and maneuvers blocks and balls of different sizes around a surface.
Read the story: http://motherboard.vice.com/read/the-...
See the paper: http://iopscience.iop.org/1741-2552/1...
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