Robotics that can be controled by brainwaves (robots again!)

[Pawn Power]

Monkey uses brainwaves to control prosthetic arm


Scientists have trained monkeys to control a robotic arm using the power of their thoughts. The research, which involved wiring electrodes into the animals' brains, is aimed at producing controllable prosthetic limbs for patients with stroke, spinal cord injuries or neurodegenerative conditions.The monkeys learned to feed themselves using the robotic arm and performed subtle movements such as approaching the food with the arm so as not to knock it over. The researchers believe the animals began to regard the arm as part of their own body.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/may/28/monkey.arm

[Jazzratt]

Excellent news. I read about this in the paper today. It was a little worrying, though, that one of the people I was with commented on the fact the monkey looked distressed - as if that is a concern when we have such a great advance that could potentially help millions of people.

[piet11111]

ofcourse they are distressed they are doing something abnormal they cant understand.

how would you feel if you suddenly started floating without any means to control it.

[Jazzratt]

ofcourse they are distressed they are doing something abnormal they cant understand.

how would you feel if you suddenly started floating without any means to control it.

The chimps may well be distressed, but it doesn't matter if you consider the benefit this has to us sapient humans.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

This has huge implications for the future of cyborgisation. Doubtless amputees and such will be the first to benefit from such technology, but as it improves and becomes better than what humans currently have, I can see people choosing to augment themselves in such a manner.

[piet11111]

The chimps may well be distressed, but it doesn't matter if you consider the benefit this has to us sapient humans.

i do not mind the experimentation i just thought it was strange to read about the chimps being distressed while it should be obvious why they are like that.

[sonicbluetm]

I heard about this brainwave stuff being used to control a computer application a LOOOONG time ago. Like 1993 or something. I guess the technology hasn't much advanced.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

I heard about this brainwave stuff being used to control a computer application a LOOOONG time ago. Like 1993 or something. I guess the technology hasn't much advanced.

On the contrary, it means we can actually apply it and do something with it.

There a difference between knowing how to do something and actually being able to do it.

[Pawn Power]

Robots are not all about monkeys...

The real robot wars (http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/video/2008/aug/15/grandchallenge)


(http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/video/2008/aug/15/grandchallenge)

[mikelepore]

There's something I don't understand about controlling machines with our minds. How is really intending a result distinguished from merely thinking about it? What if I want the robot to go to the left, but I'm having a fantasy about the robot going to the right? Would the machine know the difference? I have the same question about our own organs. I can strongly visualize my arm moving, and still keep my arm motionless. Neurological signals that activate our muscles must be a separate from "thinking."

[ckaihatsu]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104692/plotsummary

The Lawnmower Man (1992)

A scientist performs experiments involving intelligence enhancing drugs and virtual reality on a simple-minded gardener. He puts the gardener on an extensive schedule of learning, and quickly he becomes brilliant. But at this point the gardener has a few ideas of his own on how the research should continue, and the scientist begins losing control of his experiments. Written by Ed Sutton {[email protected]}

A trip into virtual reality. Angelo has developed a virtual reality system, which truly immerses the user into the world of computer make-believe. The lawnmower man, Jobe, who is retarded, is put 'into' the system to find out if his intelligence can be improved. It can, but not without some serious side-effects. Written by Rob Hartill

Plot Synopsis:
Dr Lance Angelo (Pierce Bronsan) has been doing some work on improving one's intelligence through the use of virtual reality... more (warning! contains spoilers)


---


But seriously, the benefits could be extraordinary.

The technology also brings up the question of how stretched one's consciousness can become -- any adult is able to do several complex routines at once because of learning (and "chunking") -- if all required effort fell entirely into the realm of conscious thought, who knows how many routines could be performed at the same time -- especially if "chunked", and macro-ed -- into computerized control systems...?


Chris





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[Dystisis]

There's something I don't understand about controlling machines with our minds. How is really intending a result distinguished from merely thinking about it? What if I want the robot to go to the left, but I'm having a fantasy about the robot going to the right? Would the machine know the difference? I have the same question about our own organs. I can strongly visualize my arm moving, and still keep my arm motionless. Neurological signals that activate our muscles must be a separate from "thinking."
Yes it is. It is probably different sections of the brain that controls these different things. Just like there being a subconscious and a conscious mind.

I remember hearing about a phone that would basically say prerecorded words based on what you are thinking. For example, if you are thinking "hello" then the phone would say "hello" to the person you are 'talking' with. However, what stopped the phone from saying anything that caught your mind was that you had to really imagine you actually saying "hello", so far as to almost say it but you don't actually have to make a sound.

[Red_Dialectics]

Haha maybe that could someday be used to pilot jets? Their controls are already fly-by-wire, and perhaps the electrode system could be put into a helmet(and then the jets could transform into giant robots) :D

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Haha maybe that could someday be used to pilot jets? Their controls are already fly-by-wire, and perhaps the electrode system could be put into a helmet(and then the jets could transform into giant robots) :D

Probably, although there would have be a degree of "learning" on the part of the pilot and possibly the aircraft's software as well.