Seen as a technological breakthrough, researchers at Duke University have developed a wireless brain-machine-interface (BMI) that allowed a rhesus monkey to control a robotic wheelchair by its thoughts via flexible hair-like implants that adhere to the brain tissue. The device is called BrainGate, and it was unveiled on Monday in Durham, North Carolina.
Seen as a technological breakthrough, researchers at Duke University have developed a wireless brain-machine-interface (BMI) that allowed a rhesus monkey to control a robotic wheelchair by its thoughts via flexible hair-like implants that adhere to the brain tissue. By showing that the monkey's brain accepted the wheelchair as part of its own body, the researchers are confident that they can develop brain-powered robotic exoskeletons and other kinds of devices for the severely disabled.