NialScorva

I, for one, welcome our new robotic monkey overlords.

GodLessWarrior

I am so excited abou this. I will be the first in line for a wirelessly controlled chip that will allow me to control my mouse and keyboard. With a little training I would be able to type as fast as a can think the letters, per se. Cyborgs here we come!!!.

ToM the Cyborg

Kosh

What it will do is make it possible for us to now "wear" our computers. Have you seen the new Zaurus C700? We've got linux on a handheld, we've got virtual displays for them. All that's lacking is a good portable input device. And this could be it.

Not that I'd want that shit in my head....

ps418

I wonder how dextrous a human could become with such a device (theoretically). For instance, could you get fine enough motor control to type on a keyboard or use a fork, or would you necessarily be limited to simple commands like up-down, open-close, left-right.

Patrick

DeLurking

Apparently, it depends on the number of electrodes in the brain. The more electrodes, the finer the manipulation allowed.

Ipecac

This technology could also be used to aid in the repair of spinal chord injuries or other nerve disorders.

Cac!

beastmaster

Dr. Nicolelis was interviewed on the Charlie Rose Show last night. He said that he was preparing for human trials in Brazil within 2-3 years! I find it astounding that we may see true cyborgs within our lifetimes.

I wonder how long before we have "universal remote controls" implanted in our brains, so we can flip channels with our minds?! Dr. Nicolelis emphasized that the implantation of the technology is a highly invasive procedure and thus has immediate applications only for people with severe medical need. But you gotta figure ... it's only a matter of time.

Humans are so fucking cool.

David M. Payne

As nanotechnology progresses think of what could be done to help those with crippling injuries move again. And as for the intrusion in the brain, I think within a relatively short time we will see this micro-technology do wondrous things as far as connecting us directly to machines. The trick is just getting it used for good, not evil. Technology is such a double-edged sword.

David

McNamara

Eventually the data transfer could become two-way, so one could "download" a book into their brain, for example. Perhaps it will become advanced enough to completely alter our perceptions while we're "plugged in" to make a simulated universe that the user experiences, with parameters defined by the programmer and/or the user. Imagine the new wave of interactive pornography!

I know, I know, I'm just ripping off The Matrix.