Paralysed people pilot thought-controlled robotic body from 6,000 miles away
Pioneering technology offers new hope to people who cannot move their arms or legs
A GROUP of paralysed people have controlled a robot from 6,000 miles away using the power of thought.
Patients in Italy successfully piloted a robot based in Japan during an experiment which could offer hope to people who cannot move their bodies.
The three patients who took part in the test were able to move the robot in real time and even pick up a drink.
“It took just 6 minutes of training to start using the technology,’ Emmanuele Tidoni from the University of Rome .
The robot was fitted with cameras, allowing participants to wear a headset and see what it was looking at.
Scientists placed electroencephalogram (EEG) caps on participants heads to measure the activity of their brain.
They were then asked to focus on yellow arrows which appeared on the screen to move the machine, with the brainwave scanner able to detect which one they were thinking about and then move the machine in the direction it was pointing.
Alessandro, a man living with a spinal injury, tested the tech.
He said: "The feeling of actually embodying the robot was good, although needless to say, the sensation varied over time.
"When the robot was stationary the feeling of embodiment was low, but the moment I gave the first command or changed direction, there was this feeling of control and increased embodiment."
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He was excited about the development of the technology, but called for more research into its psychological impact on paralysed people.
“It’s a sensitive and important issue, but will certainly have a major impact on the way we all can communicate to each other,” he added.
"What will happen to a person who cannot move in real life after they use this technology intensively?
"Will they still feel isolated or lonely?
"Any developments also need to study the impact that these technologies may have on the psychological well-being of people with various degrees of disability."
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