Freethought & Rationalism Archive

David M. Payne · 10-13-2003, 09:44 PM

How long until this research has a direct impact on humanity? Think of the possibilities!

And the repercussions of this in monkeys has to be yet another blow to the religious who wish to put some great gulf between humanity and the rest of the base animals of the world. Think of the sophisticated thinking going on in those monkeys who realize that they can control something as complicated as a robotic arm with their thoughts.

David

Monkeys Can Move Robot Arms With Thoughts (I don't know how long this link will be good, but here is part of it.)

Monkeys with brain implants were trained to move a robot arm with their thoughts, a key advance by researchers who hope one day to allow paralyzed people to perform similar tasks.
A series of electrodes containing tiny wires were implanted about a millimeter deep into the brains of two monkeys. A computer then recorded signals produced by the monkeys' brains as they manipulated a joystick controlling the robotic arm in exchange for a reward � sips of juice.
The joystick was later unplugged and the arm, which was in a separate room, was controlled directly by the brain signals coming from the implants. The monkeys eventually stopped using the joystick, as if they knew their brains were controlling the robot arm, Duke University researcher Miguel Nicolelis said�
�The implants remained in the Duke monkeys for 2 1/2 years showing they can be used for extended period. Over time, the monkeys' brains adapted to treat the robotic arm as if it was their own limb,Nicolelis said.

NonHomogenized · 10-13-2003, 10:46 PM

Wow, that experiment continued on? I haven't heard anything about it since they first achieved success, a couple years back.
I thought it was really cool then, and I still do.

xorbie · 10-13-2003, 11:26 PM

Very cool stuff indeed.

Yggdrasill · 10-14-2003, 05:26 AM

This is some of the more fascinating stuff being developed (this and this anyway). I can't wait to see how much it will improve in 10 years.

Majestyk · 10-14-2003, 06:56 AM

Direct nuero-control and sensory input? It will open doors to some big opportunities and abuses.

Arken · 10-14-2003, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David M. Payne
How long until this research has a direct impact on humanity? Think of the possibilities!

YES! MY ARMY OF CYBORG MONKEYS WILL AID ME IN MY PLAN TO RULE THE W-

I mean... heh heh... it'll help lots of... uh... armless people... yeah... that's it...

MortalWombat · 10-14-2003, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Arken
YES! MY ARMY OF CYBORG MONKEYS...

...led by MechaKong

ceb · 10-14-2003, 06:25 PM

Helping armless people is nice and all, but just imagine the potential!

There's no reason why one who possesses all their original limbs couldn't have additional limbs attached. Two extra arms for me, please!

And what about wireless technology? Could a base station be attached to the brain, and the limb have a wireless connection? We're talking total remote control with the mind. Bomb sniffing robots, deep sea exploration, hazardess environment access, not to mention all the entertainment possibilities.

Exciting times, indeed.

Kosh · 10-14-2003, 09:34 PM

OK, I'll say it:

Look ma, no hands!

Primordial Groove · 10-14-2003, 09:36 PM

Quote:

And what about wireless technology? Could a base station be attached to the brain, and the limb have a wireless connection? We're talking total remote control with the mind. Bomb sniffing robots, deep sea exploration, hazardess environment access, not to mention all the entertainment possibilities.

Not to mention that humans will no longer have to actually search for the remote control! woohoo!

It's fantastic that researchers are breaking down the barrier that exists between man made technology and biomatter.

10-13-2003, 09:44 PM	#1
David M. Payne Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The land of chain smoking, bible thumping, holy ro Posts: 1,248	Monkeys Can Move Robot Arms With Thoughts. How long until this research has a direct impact on humanity? Think of the possibilities! And the repercussions of this in monkeys has to be yet another blow to the religious who wish to put some great gulf between humanity and the rest of the base animals of the world. Think of the sophisticated thinking going on in those monkeys who realize that they can control something as complicated as a robotic arm with their thoughts. David Monkeys Can Move Robot Arms With Thoughts (I don't know how long this link will be good, but here is part of it.) Monkeys with brain implants were trained to move a robot arm with their thoughts, a key advance by researchers who hope one day to allow paralyzed people to perform similar tasks. A series of electrodes containing tiny wires were implanted about a millimeter deep into the brains of two monkeys. A computer then recorded signals produced by the monkeys' brains as they manipulated a joystick controlling the robotic arm in exchange for a reward � sips of juice. The joystick was later unplugged and the arm, which was in a separate room, was controlled directly by the brain signals coming from the implants. The monkeys eventually stopped using the joystick, as if they knew their brains were controlling the robot arm, Duke University researcher Miguel Nicolelis said� �The implants remained in the Duke monkeys for 2 1/2 years showing they can be used for extended period. Over time, the monkeys' brains adapted to treat the robotic arm as if it was their own limb,Nicolelis said.

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10-13-2003, 10:46 PM	#2
NonHomogenized Veteran Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: no longer at IIDB Posts: 1,644	Wow, that experiment continued on? I haven't heard anything about it since they first achieved success, a couple years back. I thought it was really cool then, and I still do.

10-13-2003, 11:26 PM	#3
xorbie Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Champaign, IL or Boston, MA Posts: 6,360	Very cool stuff indeed.

10-14-2003, 05:26 AM	#4
Yggdrasill Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kongsberg, Norway. I'm a: Skeptic Posts: 7,597	This is some of the more fascinating stuff being developed (this and this anyway). I can't wait to see how much it will improve in 10 years.

10-14-2003, 06:56 AM	#5
Majestyk Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 2,846	Direct nuero-control and sensory input? It will open doors to some big opportunities and abuses.

10-14-2003, 06:25 PM	#8
ceb Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 28	Helping armless people is nice and all, but just imagine the potential! There's no reason why one who possesses all their original limbs couldn't have additional limbs attached. Two extra arms for me, please! And what about wireless technology? Could a base station be attached to the brain, and the limb have a wireless connection? We're talking total remote control with the mind. Bomb sniffing robots, deep sea exploration, hazardess environment access, not to mention all the entertainment possibilities. Exciting times, indeed.

10-14-2003, 09:34 PM	#9
Kosh Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Orions Belt Posts: 3,911	OK, I'll say it: Look ma, no hands!

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