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Huge Leap Forward In Robotic Limb Replacement

Posted by kdawson on from the arms-and-the-man dept.

BlueshiftVFX sends us to Wired for some video of the impressive, mind-controlled prosthetic robot arm invented by Dean Kamen. "Kamen's arm, dubbed 'Luke' (after Skywalker, I assume), is an incredibly sophisticated bit of engineering that's lightyears ahead of the clamping 'claws' that many amputees are forced to use today. The arm is fully articulated, giving the user the same degrees of movement as a natural arm, and is sensitive enough to pick up a piece of paper, a wineglass, or even a grape without mishap."

153 comments

  1. Woo... by Izabael_DaJinn · · Score: 5, Funny
    You guys should be excited. Think about what this will do for the pen1s enlarg3m3nt industry.

    Not only would they be "fully articulated" in the bedroom they would also be "sensitive enough" to pick up flowers & wine beforehand.

    --
    Careful What You Wish For....
    1. Re:Woo... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Or, if the arm runs Windows, the penis repairment industry.

    2. Re:Woo... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      You guys should be excited. Think about what this will do for the pen1s enlarg3m3nt industry.


      Not only would they be "fully articulated" in the bedroom they would also be "sensitive enough" to pick up flowers & wine beforehand.

      They are way ahead of you. Check under the "Third Leg" link on the article's page. There's video.
    3. Re:Woo... by LrdDimwit · · Score: 3, Funny

      Perhaps it's just me, but I am generally using other body parts to pick up the flowers and the wine.

    4. Re:Woo... by schwit1 · · Score: 1

      If somebody hacked into it that might give a whole new meaning to the term rootkit.

    5. Re:Woo... by amddude · · Score: 1

      Viva Viagra! lol

    6. Re:Woo... by Nephrite · · Score: 1

      Strange, my first thought was about military uses.

  2. More appropriate headline by s4m7 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Dean Kamen is Finally Back to Inventing Useful Things

    --
    This comment is fully compliant with RFC 527.
    1. Re:More appropriate headline by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Yes, but what about the monkeys? Won't someone think of the monkeys?

      http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/05/29/1254259

    2. Re:More appropriate headline by bfl · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Invented by Dean Kaman is a bit of an exaggeration. The arm is the result of a DARPA project overseen by Deka, and involving a laundry list of partners including the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and the University of New Brunswick. See here for the UNB page about the project.

    3. Re:More appropriate headline by Geak · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The sad thing is, something like this should have been invented a long time ago. We've had the technology and the ability to do it for years, and at the very least Star Wars or the Bionic Man/Woman should have inspired someone to build this. I'd be willing to bet someone has designed and built a prosthetic arm like this a long time ago, but insurance companies have probably worked very hard to keep it from ever getting to market or any publicity.

    4. Re:More appropriate headline by HEbGb · · Score: 1

      Correct. Attaching Kamen's name to it is a smart marketing move, and good press fodder. A nice demo though, we'll see if this becomes practical and cost effective.

    5. Re:More appropriate headline by RsG · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Why would you assume that?

      I mean first up, why the insurance industry? Second, what makes you think anyone has the clout to repress this sort of technology?

      Robot limbs that operate at or near the human level have a multitude of uses beyond just prosthetics. Offhand, I can think of hazardous material handling, remote surgery, bomb disposal, space exploration - basically anywhere you want a human hand, and don't want the mess that comes with having a warm body in the immediate area.

      If you're right, and the potential to build just such a device has existed for years, then everyone from NASA to the nuclear industry would be all over it. Against that, those pissants in insurance don't stand a chance.

      Plus, there's a fairly strong military interest in the prosthetic angle. There are plenty of war-vet amputees who'd benefit, giving DARPA both a practical and a PR benefit if they demonstrated a working model.

      I just don't see it happening yet. Note the "leap forward" phrasing - this is still below the level of a bionic hand that can adequately replace the flesh and blood version. We're nowhere near the star wars/bionic man level. I mean, we'll get there, and probably within my lifetime and yours, but stuff like nerve-computer connections and effective tactile senses are still in their infancy.

      --
      Erotic is when you use a feather. Exotic is when you use the whole chicken.
    6. Re:More appropriate headline by redxxx · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Of course, it isn't any sort of leap forward, and anyone who has been paying attention to the industry would see that like most new bits of technology, it is part of a long gradual development progress.

      Since about 2000 they've been making real progress in control systems, and impoverishment in material engineering have allowed for more lifelike prosthetic. Better electronics have made everything smaller.

      They've finally put both together into something that can be used by patients, without lugging around a massive power source and computer.

      No one has been suppressing the technology. This shit is hard and takes huge amounts of effort, and saying otherwise(saying a ridiculous conspiracy is responsible for the time it's taken)is a massive slap in the face of people who have dedicated themselves to helping disabled people lead better lives.

    7. Re:More appropriate headline by CAIMLAS · · Score: 1

      Yeah, and at this point, a more appropriate slashdot icon would be the terminator (T800) metal head/arm.

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      ~/ssh slashdot.org ssh: connect to host slashdot.org port 22: too many beers
    8. Re:More appropriate headline by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Has nothing to do with marketing and everything to do with ego. Just check out all the patents involved, I'd wager most (if not all) have Dean's name listed first. I worked for the guy for 3 years, his name takes top billing on anything coming out of his companies (whether he worked on them or not).

  3. :-( Insurance by lantastik · · Score: 5, Informative

    I can't tell you how excited I would be if any insurance company on the planet would actually pay for this. I have a friend who lost his left arm fighting in the name of our country. So far three different insurance carriers have all denied him any kind of advanced prosthetic. It's sad...

    1. Re::-( Insurance by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I can't tell you how excited I would be if any insurance company on the planet would actually pay for this. I have a friend who lost his left arm fighting in the name of our country. So far three different insurance carriers have all denied him any kind of advanced prosthetic. It's sad... Are you in the US? If he was in the military, why is he dealing with insurance carriers at all?

      And are you saying he has triple coverage through three different companies?

      --
      #DeleteChrome
    2. Re::-( Insurance by s4m7 · · Score: 5, Informative

      If he was in the military, why is he dealing with insurance carriers at all?

      Yes because VA hospitals are great and there's always room in them. They just hand out whatever care you want because you Served Your Country.

      No seriously the republicans just blocked the expansion of VA benefits.

      --
      This comment is fully compliant with RFC 527.
    3. Re::-( Insurance by mazarin5 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Hell, my father is just now getting treatment for problems caused by his stint in Vietnam!

      --
      Fnord.
    4. Re::-( Insurance by purpleraison · · Score: 2, Informative

      He is entitled to treatment from the Veterans Administration if he was in the U.S. military when he lost it. If he is not being treated, then the best recourse would be to file a complaint with the Veterans Administration and/or to his local Senator (or other political schmuck).

      By default, when you outprocess from active duty, all conditions that were treated while on active duty may be considered for continuing treatment and disability payment.

      There are also lawyers who help veterans get access to these benefits, who work for the V.A. -- so there is no charge for their services, so I suppose the lawyer would be the first person to contact.

      --
      I am open source, and Linux baby!
    5. Re::-( Insurance by Jackie_Chan_Fan · · Score: 1, Offtopic

      Yeah so much for all of that "support the troops" patriotic nonsense that gets thrown around at so called "unpatriotic" Americans.

      We've got pro ball players playing children's games for a living and a fraction of their salaries combined would help fit our wounded soldiers with things like this, or supply them with whatever special care.

      This country is despicable sometimes. We have the right blaming the left that they're not supporting the troops... We have the government lieing about reasons for war... We have our military brainwashing our soldiers with ideas of fighting for their own freedom, in Iraq. It is just ridiculous.

      I sure as hell hope one day, we as humans put the important things above all else, and stop living in this fast food, talking point policitian, 5 second news story world.

      Good people are dieing, losing their limbs, being burned, scarred, and having their lives ruined... by our own governments hand, and we dont even have the god damn respect to do whats right. AND WE PUT THEM THERE.

      Dont look the other way when you see a wounded soldier.... walk up and thank him or her and say you're sorry. This whole fucking Iraq thing was a convoluted lie.

      Anyone remember Afghanistan? Bin Laden?... The real mission?

      Where is our President? Where the fuck is that coward George W Bush?!

    6. Re::-( Insurance by couchslug · · Score: 5, Informative

      "I have a friend who lost his left arm fighting in the name of our country. So far three different insurance carriers have all denied him any kind of advanced prosthetic. It's sad..."

      I'm a vet and I smell trollage. "name of our country" - WTF?? Branch of service would do for a start.

      No private carrier would even be involved with a combat injury, and actual denial of care would be grounds
      for calling up the VA chain of command with a parallel chat with local and state elected officials. The VA has
      screwed up but there are plenty of folks willing to raise a stink in behalf of a legit claim. Join the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) for a start.

      --
      "This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
    7. Re::-( Insurance by jshackney · · Score: 1

      Are you in the US? If he was in the military, why is he dealing with insurance carriers at all? Never heard of the VA system, eh?

      And are you saying he has triple coverage through three different companies? And he's probably still not adequately covered. Every time anyone in my family has to spend time in a hospital, I get calls and nasty letters from my insurance company wanting to know if I have another insurance plan. Those dirty, rotten, *&^$#bags!!! I used to work in the insurance industry. It's really just legalized extortion.
    8. Re::-( Insurance by HiVizDiver · · Score: 1

      Yeah, you just have to look at the top-notch facilities at Walter Ree... oh, wait...

    9. Re::-( Insurance by conlaw · · Score: 2, Informative

      No, based on experiences I have witnessed, the best first contact is your local American Legion, VFW or DAV representative. He or she knows exactly how the system works and how to get your needs met. They often have an office in the VA Hospital and title something like Service Liaison or something else equally unmemorable.

    10. Re::-( Insurance by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 2, Informative

      Yes because VA hospitals are great and there's always room in them. They just hand out whatever care you want because you Served Your Country. I agree with the general sentiment you've expressed; but you don't have the logistics quite correct. The VA system and the military health system are largely separate, somewhat parallel organizations (when my career military father fell ill with a terminal illness, I learned a lot about this). That's part of the problem - the reduncancy of these two hugely bureaucratic systems. The VA is supposed to be there for exactly this situation; but the military also has its own rehab and long-term care programs. In my experience what was best for the patient fell second to the turf war between these groups. Thank goodness my mom was patiently advocating for my dad, figured out the system (while there are people within the system whose job it is to help with this, they are not actually easy to find!), and eventually got him switched to VA care. At that point he was treated pretty well (not meant as an indictment of his individual military care givers; but that system is not particularly well suited to long-term care).

      I would think that, as a country, we could provide much better care - and still save some money - by separating out military health care from the military programs, combining it with a revamped VA and making it just one program that serves all branches + veterans/retirees.
      --
      #DeleteChrome
    11. Re::-( Insurance by ystar · · Score: 1

      Maybe it was someone working as a US mercenary for a private company such as Blackwater? I know nothing about their coverage policies but I would hazard that they're much worse than veteran care.

    12. Re::-( Insurance by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Somebody has to say it: You're pretty dumb.

    13. Re::-( Insurance by c6gunner · · Score: 1

      Maybe it was someone working as a US mercenary for a private company such as Blackwater?


      In which case he wasn't fighting for his country, he was fighting for a paycheque. Mercs have their uses, and a lot of them are really good guys (hell, I almost took a job with them in Bosnia back in 2000) but I wouldn't put them in the same class as soldiers. If he's having issues with the medical system I certainly feel some sympathy, but it's not the governments job to look after him.
    14. Re::-( Insurance by lantastik · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I'm a vet and I smell trollage. "name of our country" - WTF?? Branch of service would do for a start. Marine Corps, honorably discharged in 1992 after the first war in Iraq. My comment had nothing to do with trolling. It's sad that he had to lose his arm performing a completely selfless act for his country.

      The most he ever received from the VA was a limb with a hook on the end. The three insurance carriers are from his three different employers from then until now.

      What makes you think his insurance carriers are not responsible for a pre-existing condition when his prosthetic needs replaced or is damaged? Sure they replace it, but not with anything worth a damn.
    15. Re::-( Insurance by moosesocks · · Score: 1

      No seriously the republicans just blocked the expansion of VA benefits. "See. Nationalized healthcare will never work. Look at the VA."

      Republicans love using that line. I really hate to trollbait, but the right-wing attempts to sabotage anything remotely resembling "socialism" are becoming increasingly destructive, especially when they're fighting for the continuation of a bloody war, and simultaneously fighting against providing the VA with adequate funding.
      --
      -- If you try to fail and succeed, which have you done? - Uli's moose
    16. Re::-( Insurance by s4m7 · · Score: 1

      Now, I agree with you so the rest of this post may shock you a little. The democrats are just as bad. They don't do anything good either, and if they do, it's so overpriced that it winds up being a net bad. Impeachment is off the table? No really, we support the troops too? FFS our government is stale and needs to be thrown out like moldy bread.

      --
      This comment is fully compliant with RFC 527.
    17. Re::-( Insurance by couchslug · · Score: 1

      Time to get in the VAs posterior and reattack with help. The basic limbs available after 1992 were probably the standard muscle-actuated "hook"-like clamps. Things being different now it would be worth pursuing.
      Unfortunately the VA isn't going to seek out older folks to give them upgrades, so that's up to the individual and his veterans organization rep. Don't even think about pursuing it alone. The DAV for example has many experienced folks with system knowledge and human networks gained over years of interaction with Uncle Sugar.

      "What makes you think his insurance carriers are not responsible for a pre-existing condition when his prosthetic needs replaced or is damaged?"

      You omitted those details which greatly change the content of the post.

      --
      "This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
    18. Re::-( Insurance by Jackie_Chan_Fan · · Score: 1

      Strong words coming from an anonymous coward. Please go back to sucking on your mothers penis.

  4. "Named after Skywalker, I assume" by empaler · · Score: 5, Informative

    That snippet really sums up the quality of the linked article.
    In both the linked pages from the Wired article, it is explained in the first paragraph that, yes, this is inspired by Luke's prosthetic hand. All Things Digital article, Gizmodo article.

  5. Human Rights Management by Darkness404 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    How long until the government mandates that these must have HRM on them (Human Rights Management) which would make it impossible to do certain "illegal" things. For example if it doesn't think you are 21 you can't pick up a beer bottle or a wine glass, it wouldn't let you pull a trigger of a gun, nor wield a knife defensively. Now, this technology is still 25-75 years off before it could actually be used, but could it be that in 150 years you would have to have your normal arms either amputated or modified to support Human Rights Management?

    --
    Taxation is legalized theft, no more, no less.
    1. Re:Human Rights Management by nawcom · · Score: 1

      Human Rights Management? Oh, you're talking the Patriot Act?

    2. Re:Human Rights Management by maxume · · Score: 4, Insightful

      If you live in a democracy, start thinking of yourself as part of the government. Then, society mandates things and they seem even stupider.

      Sure, something can call itself a democracy and not be a democracy, but if you don't at least think of it as a democracy, it sure as hell isn't ever going to be one.

      --
      Nerd rage is the funniest rage.
    3. Re:Human Rights Management by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      25-75 years off? looks like it works right now to me. This is an awesome piece of tech which is going to make a lot of people's lives better. I applaud DARPA for humanitarian projects like these.

    4. Re:Human Rights Management by Worthless_Comments · · Score: 4, Informative

      Democracy is the worst form of government ... except all the others that have been tried.

      It's a lot less misleading when you actually finish the quote.

    5. Re:Human Rights Management by vertinox · · Score: 1

      Democracy is the worst form of government ... except all the others that have been tried.

      I dunno. Under the feudal system peasants got more time off than we do today for various holidays and always had job security no matter what (albeit a viking raid).

      Also, prostitution and gambling was legal (albeit frowned upon the church) in many western European nations during middle ages and although church attendance was mandatory in most places, you didn't really have to participate and since the sermons were in Latin (a language most peasants didn't understand) you could talk among your fellow peasants or even conduct business if you were a burger.

      Sure the disease, garbage in the streets, and viking and bandit raids kind of sucked but history has shown us that democracy is viewed the best because we have a modern view of things. Though during the age of absolute monarchs towards the 1500's sort of the time when govenrment got too powerful and started dictating more invasive things into the common persons life which of course resulted in the revolutions and social changes through the 1700's and 1800's.

      Of course one will never know if the same thing would happen if we tried feudalism again.

      --
      "I am the king of the Romans, and am superior to rules of grammar!"
      -Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor (1368-1437)
    6. Re:Human Rights Management by vertinox · · Score: 1

      How long until the government mandates that these must have HRM on them (Human Rights Management) which would make it impossible to do certain "illegal" things.

      Thats why you buy your cyberware on the Northern Territories black markets. Of course you can't just take a full on cyborg body and rob a bank without drawing the attention of Section 9.

      But more seriously, HRM as you describe it would require some sort of Strong AI which if we had... It might cause the current governmental system to be a moot point.

      --
      "I am the king of the Romans, and am superior to rules of grammar!"
      -Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor (1368-1437)
    7. Re:Human Rights Management by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My ancestors were vikings you insensitive clod!

    8. Re:Human Rights Management by cashman73 · · Score: 1
      Nah! In 150 years, all citizens will be required to be implanted with the equivalent of the V-chip" directly into their brains. It will basically prevent any type of "illegal" behavior, as well as control the masses into voting for more candidates like Dubya and Hillary,...

    9. Re:Human Rights Management by shervinemami · · Score: 1

      Interesting point, because it could be used for by the government to control you. But your examples are incredibly unlikely. Just to stop an under 21yr old from picking up alcohol, it would have to know the person's age, plus have either an alcohol detector in the hand or all alcohol bottles would need barcodes or similar to identify that its alcohol. But the person could either "hack their hand" to make it think they're 21, or just drink the beer from a plastic cup :-)

      Obviously, the government has MANY ways of controlling the public, but this one doesn't seem like one if u ask me! The bigger concern would be if the government only allowed certain types of people to obtain the new arms, and therefore keep people they don't like from having them.

    10. Re:Human Rights Management by maxume · · Score: 1

      Prostitution and gambling are legal enough in most western nations right now. They aren't above board and approved of, but pretty much anybody who wants to participate in said activities is doing so. They probably would have been illegal during the middle ages, if there had been enough economic production to afford imprisonment, rather than execution (a dead peasant isn't a whole lot better than a peasant you have to feed when you are a lord...).

      As far as time off and job security, you would have to balance those against the utter lack of social mobility (I guess it might not be great today, but it exists to a much greater extent than it did).

      --
      Nerd rage is the funniest rage.
  6. Why stop at "human like" articulation? by HockeyPuck · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Why only have an elbow and wrist and five fingers? Why not make an articulated arm that has more 'elbow' joints and two opposing digits (read: thumbs). If the brain isn't used to controlling 6 finger/digits, could it learn the task? Surely a wrist that could rotate 180degrees in either direction would be better than our current design.

    1. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by s4m7 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I've wondered about this: if the technology improved to the point where you could feel all the sensations with a prosthetic arm as with your original arm, but the materials were stronger, faster and more flexible, why not replace them voluntarily?

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      This comment is fully compliant with RFC 527.
    2. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Why only have an elbow and wrist and five fingers? Why not make an articulated arm that has more 'elbow' joints and two opposing digits (read: thumbs). If the brain isn't used to controlling 6 finger/digits, could it learn the task? Surely a wrist that could rotate 180degrees in either direction would be better than our current design. The glaringly obvious answer is that people want to appear and function just like a "normal" person, and would prefer not to be stared at while they're picking out apples in the grocery department.

      --
      #DeleteChrome
    3. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by maxume · · Score: 1

      Range of motion->complexity->cost->doh!.

      --
      Nerd rage is the funniest rage.
    4. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I could do with a few tentacles to please my Japanese girlfriend.

    5. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by somersault · · Score: 1

      maintenance costs, and problems with magnets/security scanners probably!

      --
      which is totally what she said
    6. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Yetihehe · · Score: 1

      Yeah, with those jerky motions (see in video, assuming final version will be covered with skin and look like normal hand) no one would stare...

      --
      Extreme Programming - Redundant Array of Inexpensive Developers
    7. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Travis+Mansbridge · · Score: 1

      I imagine it's much harder than you may think to pick up a control scheme for a part of your body that's not only never existed on your body, but never existed in the history of your species.

      But, more to the point, I think they ought to focus on the basics before adding on extra fingers and elbows ;)

    8. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Hal_Porter · · Score: 2, Funny

      Why only have an elbow and wrist and five fingers? Why not make an articulated arm that has more 'elbow' joints and two opposing digits (read: thumbs). If the brain isn't used to controlling 6 finger/digits, could it learn the task? Surely a wrist that could rotate 180degrees in either direction would be better than our current design. The glaringly obvious answer is that people want to appear and function just like a "normal" person, and would prefer not to be stared at while they're picking out apples in the grocery department. Yeah but I could pick up the other shoppers and throw them hundreds of feet if they stared at me. I AM IRONMAN.
      --
      echo -e 'global _start\n _start:\n mov eax, 2\n int 80h\n jmp _start' > a.asm; nasm a.asm -f elf; ld a.o -o a;
    9. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by rolfwind · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

      (Besides, the technology is just too new.)

    10. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why replace when you can have 3 arms ?

    11. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by rolfwind · · Score: 1

      You mean that yucky plastic skin that old prothestics are covered with? Hello uncanny valley!

      I'd rather have a Terminator looking device as an arm than that crap! It doesn't look bad as it is.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley

    12. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by mikael · · Score: 2, Insightful

      With "reinnervation", they graft the nerves that used to lead to the arm/hand/fingers and reattach them to the chest muscles. Electrodes in the base of the prosthesis pick up these electrical signals and use them to move the arm. It would be possible to reassign different signals to different arm movements, but you won't be able to control any more muscles than you had before.

      Maybe with electrodes implanted in the brain this would be possible - people were able to control a cursor with their thoughts. But it would require many more electrodes to be able to control an entire arm.

      --
      Vintage computer adverts: http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/computers-and-software-ads
    13. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by wellingj · · Score: 1

      I don't see a reason why not.

      --
      Money is the root of all evil?
    14. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Smidge204 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I'm sure most people would just want their old arm back.

      But honestly? If I'm getting an artificial body part I want an upgrade. Artificial arms need "Inspector Gadget" type tools built into them. artificial legs need built-in roller blades or "kangaroo boot" springs. Artificial eyes need video-in jacks, zoom and swappable IR vision filters.

      I'm not sure I'd have a perfectly good body part removed for one - especially at this stage in tech - but if anything happens and I'm getting it anyway...
      =Smidge=

    15. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't think that's necessarily true. I think there is discussion of this when people examine how it is that you and I can drive large cars safely and other people can fly 747s where they land with their eyes 60' above the ground...

    16. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Zarf · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I imagine it's much harder than you may think to pick up a control scheme for a part of your body that's not only never existed on your body, but never existed in the history of your species.

      But, more to the point, I think they ought to focus on the basics before adding on extra fingers and elbows ;) Actually, I'd like to test this hypothesis. I'll bet we'll be shocked to find out that it's actually easy for people who are young enough. I know, that's counter-intuitive, but I suspect that the reason there is a yawning chasm between generations and their use of technology is not that old folks are Luddites but that some folks can't adapt to the mental augmentation that is the exo-cortex of the Internet.

      Notice that we don't see this chasm in older baby-boomers. I think that means we won't see another gaping technology chasm between generations. The computers are here now and brains are adapting to them. Other threads on slashdot have discussed the idea that computer programs become mental extensions just as tools become extensions of people's bodies. Stories of ancient knights speak of warriors fighting until they could not tell their arms from their swords.

      So I'd bet that using that "mental extension into the tool" effect you really could find ways to add on novel new cybernetic body-parts and that the brains of mammals are actually adaptive enough to deal with it. I think this will be true because of the structure of mammal brains and its ability to re-wire itself.

      After all don't you wince when you hit something in your car? Some people even exclaim "ouch" as if they were themselves hurt. I suspect it's an artifact of being able to use tools that enables us to tack on a tool as a "temporary body part"
      --
      [signature]
    17. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Rangsk · · Score: 2, Interesting

      This reminds me of the Star Trek: TNG episode, "The Measure of a Man"

      Quote taken from: http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0001459/quotes

      Capt. Picard: Data, I understand your objections. But I have to consider Star Fleet's interests. What if Commander Maddox is correct - there is a possibility that many more beings like yourself can be constructed?
      Lt. Commander Data: Sir, Lieutenant La Forge's eyes are far superior to human biological eyes, true?
      Capt. Picard: Mm-hmm.
      Lt. Commander Data: Then why are not all human officers required to have their eyes replaced with cybernetic implants?
      [Picard considers this, pauses, then looks away from Data]
      Lt. Commander Data: I see. It is precisely because I am *not* human.

      --
      "Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose." --Douglas Adams
    18. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      SOMEBODY likes tossing around a new phrase they learned.

      If someone is curious, they will google it.

      As it is, you are posting on Slashdot. I bet you one person in twenty doesn't know what the Uncanny Valley effect is, and that one person in twenty probably doesn't read the comments anyways.

    19. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by bperkins · · Score: 2, Funny

      This issue was very thoughtfully covered in Strong Bad Email 47.

    20. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why only have an elbow and wrist and five fingers? Amputees already have people looking at them like they are freaks, unnatural looking cybernetics won't help them any.
    21. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It would be possible to reassign different signals to different arm movements, but you won't be able to control any more muscles than you had before. Sure you could. Each existing muscle is innervated by thousands of unique neurons, and with appropriate feedback, people can be trained to control specific neurons. With good signal processing, it is possible to resolve some of those individual neurons from even one electrode pair. Your brain already does control with finer resolution than "Muscle on" "Muscle off," it's just a matter of resolving the signal and giving the human consistent feedback of that signal.

      One of the biggest travesties of upper limb prosthetic development is that, in the past fifty years, no one has tried to use EMG signals as anything more than a binary switch.
    22. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Hucko · · Score: 2, Insightful

      You, sir, have it right. Put it on a wireless caterpillar track base, and multiple telescopic arms. There doesn't seem to be too many reasons to attach them to the body.

      --
      Semi-automatic amateur armchair Australian philosopher; conjecture ready at any moment...
    23. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by conlaw · · Score: 1

      Amputees already have people looking at them like they are freaks, unnatural looking cybernetics won't help them any.

      On the other hand, Shriners' Hospitals for Children do hundreds of prosthetic limbs for kids and allow them to have the choice of how they're covered/colored. I'm sure that lots of ten-year-olds are envious of the kid whose leg is done in day-glo or the colors of the local sports team.

    24. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by dlevitan · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I've wondered about this: if the technology improved to the point where you could feel all the sensations with a prosthetic arm as with your original arm, but the materials were stronger, faster and more flexible, why not replace them voluntarily? I think a good reason would be power requirements. All prosthetics I believe require batteries. I suppose you could have enough batteries that you could just charge your arms and legs overnight. But, quite frankly, I feel powerless enough when I can't see anything when I first wake up. Not having any arms would be even worse.

      If anything, I think that concentrating on either exoskeletons (as has been reported in recent articles) or maybe on strengthening the body itself with implants would be much more productive and useful. Maybe there would be a way to augment the body's muscles to make them stronger, for example. However, I doubt this will happen anytime soon.
    25. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Oktober+Sunset · · Score: 1

      I'm pretty sure if they can spend all those thousands on making an uber robo arm, they can get a decent skin texture on the outside.

      --
      What if Tetris was invented by Nazis?
    26. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by TubeSteak · · Score: 1

      Actually, I'd like to test this hypothesis. I'll bet we'll be shocked to find out that it's actually easy for people who are young enough. I know, that's counter-intuitive,...
      ...
      So I'd bet that using that "mental extension into the tool" effect you really could find ways to add on novel new cybernetic body-parts and that the brains of mammals are actually adaptive enough to deal with it. I think this will be true because of the structure of mammal brains and its ability to re-wire itself. You'd have to graft those cybernetic body-parts onto children for it to be "easy for people who are young enough".

      The only reason the adult brain can re-wire itself to deal with prosthetics is because some poor guy/girl has to undergo months and months of painful physical therapy. It's not quite so simple as strapping on their (robo) limb and telling them to have at it.
      --
      [Fuck Beta]
      o0t!
    27. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by gnuman99 · · Score: 1

      Humans have enough problems controlling motor functions of what we have. If we have more control joints, I highly suspect it would not work out so well without additional pre-processing. But regardless, perfecting the simplest apparatus is probably the first step. Once this is perfected (give or take a decade), we'll see augmentations that will start to supersede all human capabilities. Baby steps at a time though. Science and knowledge is all baby steps.

    28. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by barzok · · Score: 2, Informative

      Because body part replacement is a bitch and something you do because you have to, not because you want to. My father recently had his hip replaced because he took an odd fall - his femur broke just below the ball, and the given his relatively young age and activity level, a full Titanium replacement (ball and socket) was deemed to be the best option for him. The bones were in perfect condition, he just landed on it in such a way that it broke.

      He's going to have some degree of limp for the rest of his days and walk with a cane. He has a list of things that he either can't do, or has to be extremely careful while doing (mundane things like bending over to tie his shoes even). His doctors and therapists have done a terrific job - but there's only so much that can be done.

      Even if a replacement body part would have "more capabilities" than OEM parts, the problems that go along with the actual replacement may make it more trouble than it's worth.

    29. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Worthless_Comments · · Score: 1

      "After all don't you wince when you hit something in your car? Some people even exclaim "ouch" as if they were themselves hurt. I suspect it's an artifact of being able to use tools that enables us to tack on a tool as a "temporary body part""

      I realize I am sorta picking apart the non-important part of your argument(which I don't necessarily disagree with), but I really do feel this a poor example. Of course you wince when you hit something in your car...it usually means you just damaged your car. And people usually say ouch in such a situation either ironically or because, you know, they got jarred/hurt.

    30. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by funaho · · Score: 1

      At least one would have to be an air hose, so you can reinflate her when she loses pressure.

    31. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by BungaDunga · · Score: 1

      They've done unorthodox "input": sense augmentation. Sight by tongue-mounted electrodes, magneto-sensing, orientation-enhancement (ie for fighter pilots, divers). It works, you don't have to be young, and the brain figures it out pretty darn fast: the extra sense gets integrated and feels natural(ish). I would reckon having an extra digit or wheels or something would be very similar.

    32. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ...why are not all human officers required to have their eyes replaced...
      This kind of reasoning lies behind some of the deepest dystopian downs in human history. You can never have Too Much of a Good Thing, eh?

      There is right way, wrong way and way of the eager but short-sighted.
    33. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Sheen2002 · · Score: 1

      People are already replacing "inadequate" body parts with supposedly better ones. There are all sorts of arguments about why this may be wrong or immoral but personally I see no problem with the practice. If you are an adult and willing to take the associated risks...

    34. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If I'm getting an artificial body part I want an upgrade. Artificial arms need "Inspector Gadget" type tools built into them. artificial legs need built-in roller blades or "kangaroo boot" springs. Artificial eyes need video-in jacks, zoom and swappable IR vision filters. A lot of people would. Especially geeks. Some of the people who've tested this arm prefer the shiny titanium, robot-looking appearance, but I believe more prefer the cosmesis of a biological appearance. A lot of the world just wants to fit in without looking like some cyberpunk freak.

      There's also a self-image issue. Imagine how disconcerting it would be for you, or someone with you, to watch you hyperextend your elbow 180 degrees "the wrong way."
    35. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by redxxx · · Score: 1

      I've wondered about this: if the technology improved to the point where you could feel all the sensations with a prosthetic arm as with your original arm, but the materials were stronger, faster and more flexible, why not replace them voluntarily? Surely some people would, but it's not cost effective for most manual labor, and it would probably be banned from sports.

      They'd probably be fairly modular eventually. Specialized 'hands' that go on the end could be very useful. Say for a surgeon or a waldo for micro-electronics work. Could work well for killing people better, and there is a lot of money in that.

      It would be very expensive and people are attached to their body parts, but if it was worthwhile, people would do it.
    36. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      Surely a wrist that could rotate 180degrees in either direction would be better than our current design.
      Yeah and the chicks will dig it.
      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
    37. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Floritard · · Score: 1

      Would you put your brain in a robot body? An Adrian Barbobot? With the strength of ten gorillas! There go my nipples again...

    38. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Zarf · · Score: 1

      Actually, I'd like to test this hypothesis. I'll bet we'll be shocked to find out that it's actually easy for people who are young enough. I know, that's counter-intuitive,... ...
      So I'd bet that using that "mental extension into the tool" effect you really could find ways to add on novel new cybernetic body-parts and that the brains of mammals are actually adaptive enough to deal with it. I think this will be true because of the structure of mammal brains and its ability to re-wire itself. You'd have to graft those cybernetic body-parts onto children for it to be "easy for people who are young enough".

      The only reason the adult brain can re-wire itself to deal with prosthetics is because some poor guy/girl has to undergo months and months of painful physical therapy. It's not quite so simple as strapping on their (robo) limb and telling them to have at it. Do you play video games? Have you played a fighter? When you screen character kicks or punches do you think: up,down,left,left,A,B,A or do you think "round house"

      I find that younger players don't even think about the "combo" they think about the move after having practiced the combo enough times. These old guys with the strap-on arms are doing the same thing with lots and lots of practice.

      In fact on one of the deep link videos the researchers show evidence that one of the wearers had gotten so used to the controls he was absentmindedly using the hand.

      The fact that he absentmindedly sets down the glass after his first attempt at using the arm means he's incorporated the arm's controls into his "body picture" just like the kid with the video game who has memorized those absurd macros and no longer thinks in: up,down,up,down,A,B,A

      It's the human ability to incorporate a tool as part of their "extended" anatomy. The mirror neurons mirroring movement in body parts that don't actually exist. Recreating the control movements.

      Someone should study whether gamers register the same mirror neuron activity as dancers do. Do gamers who watch a sequence of game moves mirror in mirror neurons the moves as if they were tapping the keys themselves? I suspect that they do.
      --
      [signature]
    39. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Nautical+Insanity · · Score: 1

      Except that begs the question as to if the human could learn to control it. Is an adult mind adaptable enough to create a whole new set of motor functions for a limb it wasn't built to control?

    40. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Zarf · · Score: 1

      They've done unorthodox "input": sense augmentation. Sight by tongue-mounted electrodes, magneto-sensing, orientation-enhancement (ie for fighter pilots, divers). It works, you don't have to be young, and the brain figures it out pretty darn fast: the extra sense gets integrated and feels natural(ish). I would reckon having an extra digit or wheels or something would be very similar. That's really fascinating stuff!
      --
      [signature]
    41. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by mugnyte · · Score: 1

      Well hell, why even have it connected to your body?

        Or why stop at one?

        Or why keep it local? Camera/VR helmet and remote arm(s), you can perform physical work from afar.

        Or why keep it immobile...maybe Dean offers a discount if you get the Segway Attachment (codename "R2")

        Or why stop at human physiology? Might be nice to attach a drill/laser/etc to the arm.

        IOW, let the creative minds of a thousand comic writers since the 50's be unleashed!

      ---
        hey everyone, don't forget send a firehose link in when the first vet mods this into a Steampunk motif. That'd be insanehot.

    42. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Bastard+of+Subhumani · · Score: 1

      I don't know, but I bet it could do a darn good rensdition of Skynrd's "Freebird". Especially that widdly-widdly bit at the end that goes on a bit too long.

      --
      Only three things are certain; death, taxes, and apocryphal quotations - Ben Franklin.
    43. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by IdeaMan · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I took robotics in college.

      The human arm is an absolute marvel of engineering. The number of degrees of freedom, the range of motion, the sensitivity of its sensors, the amount of control it has are phenomenal. When you build an arm that can beat a human arm that I can afford to replace when it wears out (mine repairs itself), please let me know.
      Otherwise I'm in the market for another pair of arms tied to a lower body exoskeleton capable of lifting a couple thousand pounds.

      --
      They ARE out to get you simply because They are in it for themselves and they don't care about you.
    44. Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Essence cost is way too high. My datajack and dermal armor are already pushing it.

  7. Another misleading summary by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    While the arm is impressive, many movements are controlled by sensors that may be in the shoes or attached to other muscles. A person cannot simply think about grabbing an object and have the hand respond. It may also require small movements with a foot. Still, the arm is a great invention with the technology that is available today.

  8. You know what else will be light years ahead? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The day we'll be able to coax the body into growing a new limb, or we can grow one in a vat and tack it on, that'll be light years ahead of the clunky electromechanical devices (including this one).

    1. Re:You know what else will be light years ahead? by Hal_Porter · · Score: 1

      There's research to do that, but it's decades off being practical apparently

      http://www.uml.edu/media/enews/DARPA%20Braunhut%20limb%20regeneration.html

      --
      echo -e 'global _start\n _start:\n mov eax, 2\n int 80h\n jmp _start' > a.asm; nasm a.asm -f elf; ld a.o -o a;
  9. No Fair! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    You're not supposed to RTFA before you post. It could have been from Cool Hand Luke.

    "What we've got here is a failure to communicate."

  10. Huge leap forward. by DirtySouthAfrican · · Score: 1

    What a bad pun =]

  11. Control of real limbs? by markk · · Score: 4, Interesting

    So can this be adapted with some work to control real limbs of quadraplegics and paraplegics? Seems like something that could be done with some kind of muscle or nerve stimulation. One could imagine a direct stimulation of nerves in the arm based on this kind of signals. A person could actually "teach" the system to get some kind of use of limbs - even if there is no feeling.

    1. Re:Control of real limbs? by BlueshiftVFX · · Score: 1

      I was wondering about this myself, but I think that the signal needs to be sensed at the skin point somehow near where the appendage opperates, and with a paralyzed person the signal is broken at the spine somewhere. so it would perhaps require a different type of interface.

    2. Re:Control of real limbs? by Grym · · Score: 2, Insightful

      So can this be adapted with some work to control real limbs of quadraplegics and paraplegics? Seems like something that could be done with some kind of muscle or nerve stimulation. One could imagine a direct stimulation of nerves in the arm based on this kind of signals. A person could actually "teach" the system to get some kind of use of limbs - even if there is no feeling.

      It's not that simple. In the case of a quadriplegic with complete spinal transection, for instance, the spinal reflexes would still be intact and likely over-reactive. So, even if external stimulation were applied to cause appropriate muscular contraction, without the proper modulation and inhibition from the upper motor neurons in the brain, any resulting movement would be very jerky and unreliable. Plus, there's the whole issues of muscular tone and posture which are themselves complex and would need to be addressed before these individuals could actually do anything functional.

      But, more importantly, sensation is not a luxury. It is absolutely required for proper movement of our extremities. Without access to touch, pain, or proprioceptive (joint-position/vibration) information, the controlling system would have no idea how to properly modulate its stimulation for even basic tasks. Even more troubling, such a system would very easily lead to broken bones, dislocated joints, and torn muscles and blood vessels without the patient even knowing it. All of these could be life-threatening if not found and treated in time.

      I'm going to go out on a limb (no pun intended) and predict that it's unlikely that this technology will ever be applied beyond prosthetics. For quadriplegics and paraplegics, the most promising developments will probably be nerve-regeneration techniques, as this leverages the already exquisite circuitry in our bodies devoted to movement.

      -Grym

  12. Distance or time? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is the blogger (Dylan Tweney) using the term "lightyears" as a measurement of distance or time? I'm wondering, you know, because of the Star Wars reference, and that whole "less than 12 parsecs" fiasco from back in 1977.

    1. Re:Distance or time? by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      That's a very good attempt at a justification, but I think it's rather more likely that the blogger mis-used the term.

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  13. luke by rubycodez · · Score: 3, Funny

    not named for skywalker, it longs for freedom even as its ordered to dig and fill a hole again and again and wins egg eating contests.

    1. Re:luke by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes agreed,

      what we have here is a failure to communicate.

  14. Another not-article reading whiner. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Umm, wrong. While direct mental control isn't the only system discussed, they clearly did say that they had gotten it controlled directly from the mind. RTFA before whining that the subject is wrong. I hate people that are in such denial about their own ignorance, that they seek out places to try to correct others. No one knows everything, not even you. Accepting that is an early step on the path towards intellectual enlightenment.

    1. Re:Another not-article reading whiner. by somersault · · Score: 1

      By mind control yes, but not directly from the mind - it sounded like they said from electrodes in the muscles. Six and half a dozen really, and I'd rather have electrodes in my muscle-stubs than brain surgery anyday!

      --
      which is totally what she said
    2. Re:Another not-article reading whiner. by foniksonik · · Score: 4, Informative

      ahemmmm.... muscles ARE controlled by the mind... voluntary and involuntary. The method they used was to 'train' the prosthetic by asking the guy to do something, seeing how the arm responded to his mental commands/instincts/whatever, then re-calibrated the arm to do the action... with a few days of training you could have the arm responding to a large range of voluntary coordinations.

      --
      A fool throws a stone into a well and a thousand sages can not remove it.
    3. Re:Another not-article reading whiner. by somersault · · Score: 1

      Hence the six and half-a-dozen remark (hint: half a dozen is six). I just said it wasn't directly from the mind - ie via electrodes in the mind - but it was ultimately mind-controlled, just as it would be even if it were being moved by his feet or voice commands :) Sticking the interface in the muscles that used to be used for the arms is really the best thing to do though, it's the most natural and almost most direct method, but with the benefit of not having to have invasive brain surgery.

      --
      which is totally what she said
  15. Old news by Kr4u53 · · Score: 1

    This is pretty old news now. I did a presentation over the current state of robotics in limb prosthesis back in January and this along with bluetooth-capable prosthetic legs had been around for a bit already.

    1. Re:Old news by osu-neko · · Score: 1

      Um, yeah. It's the typical Slashdot policy to make up a completely false headline to go with an article, something that either says something entirely different from what the original article said, or often, to actually contradict what the article says. In this case, the linked to article is accurately titled, "Dean Kamen's Robot Arm Grabs More Publicity." No new leap forward, just new attention to the current state of the art. New attention paid to, as you say, old news.

      I'm not sure what it says when Wired is orders of magnitude more honest, accurate, and less sensationalistic than Slashdot. But that's par for the course...

      --
      "Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies."
  16. Iron Man? by cyclobotomy · · Score: 1

    Dean Kamen is a real-life Tony Stark

    1. Re:Iron Man? by funaho · · Score: 1

      I didn't see an arc reactor powering that arm though.

  17. Mecha on the moon by Zarf · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Am I the only one that sees this as an exciting new way to control giant robots and Mecha? One of the demo videos shows an engineer who has not lost an arm controlling the device as a third arm. That could mean the creation of a real-life Doctor Octopus ... or even a way to control real life Mecha or telerobotic space exploration systems for mining the moon!

    --
    [signature]
    1. Re:Mecha on the moon by Robert1 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Yes you are. When I think of miniaturized wearable prosthetics I don't think about how exciting it would be to control giant robots or "Mecha," whatever that is. Also, had you actually watched the video, they tell you the guy with the 3rd arm had it controlled by someone off camera. Regardless, some actual info about your statement:

      Yeah, that's not new at all. Surgeons have been using remote robotics for YEARS to do micro-surgery. Recently they've even started to do telesurgery, where the surgeon experienced in one particular procedure lives half way around the world and uses a robotic interface to work with the robot in the operating room thousands of miles away.

      There's really no barrier to using it for moon robots, although I can't imagine the benefit of directly controlling them. Plus, there's like a 2.5 second lag which would make it a chore to directly control. Basically it would be pretty stupid and worthless to have a direct interface like that. Anyway, all the mars probes and such are essentially the same thing, none of them are really automated and have to have everything done by direct input from NASA. Of course, their input is keyboards and buttons since they have to plot out what the rover/probe will do exactly as physical speed limits stop them from ever controlling something in real time.

      To put it more simply, you'll only ever be able to use something like this (direct input) when controlling something on Earth or reasonable close - like something on the ISS.

    2. Re:Mecha on the moon by Renraku · · Score: 1

      As far as extra limbs go, we're only set up in hardware to be able to control two of something. Left brain controls right arm, right brain controls left arm. There's no doubt in my mind that the brain has the capability and plasticity to learn to control a new limb, bit it could very well cost you dexterity or strength in one of your existing arms.

      Upgrading existing limbs would be a whole lot easier on the brain and body than adding new ones. Imagine a 360 degree wrist, for example. Or typing fingers a la Ghost in the Shell. It could happen someday..if someone can pay for it.

      --
      Job? I don't have time to get a job! Who will sit around and bitch about being broke and unemployed then?
    3. Re:Mecha on the moon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Giant robots? Mecha? Doc Oc? Nooooo
      I think you're just excited about masturbation with the third arm...

    4. Re:Mecha on the moon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      that's not entirely true. the brain isn't entirely crossed over like that. I have an AVM in my left cerebellum and it affects my left arm.

    5. Re:Mecha on the moon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As far as extra limbs go, we're only set up in hardware to be able to control two of something. Left brain controls right arm, right brain controls left arm. There's no doubt in my mind that the brain has the capability and plasticity to learn to control a new limb, bit it could very well cost you dexterity or strength in one of your existing arms.

      I remember seeing another video where a monkey with direct brain implants was controlling a robot arm by computer intermediary to feed itself. Initially the monkey had to move its own natural arm and the robot would move in sympathy, but after a few months of practice it could leave its own arm immobile and move the robot directly.

    6. Re:Mecha on the moon by Zarf · · Score: 1

      Yeah, that's not new at all. Surgeons have been using remote robotics for YEARS to do micro-surgery. Recently they've even started to do telesurgery, where the surgeon experienced in one particular procedure lives half way around the world and uses a robotic interface to work with the robot in the operating room thousands of miles away. ... yes, but are they using direct brain input? The arm has multiple modes of operation. Not just the joystick mode. It also has macros.
      --
      [signature]
    7. Re:Mecha on the moon by paulgrant · · Score: 1

      I thought the same exact thing. its too imprecise contrary to what you might be thinking - it looks like its built no some rudimentary muscle-group expansion sensing and some inflatable tubes to compensate for the weight. You're only as strong as your back, and a doc-oc suit would basically crush you under leverage* (you could theoretically do a dynamic balancing act using the arms to compensate ala the movie, but that would require some very tricky inverse motion control and one slip and splat). But I digress.

  18. But is it Steampunk? by Corky+Devereaux · · Score: 1

    Disclaimer: Dean Kamen is a personal friend of mine. I'll be cyber-casting about this very soon.

    1. Re:But is it Steampunk? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yer dick's even smaller than sm6whatevers!

  19. Wtf does COA Stand for? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Brb, Cutting Off Arm.
    (FUCK YEAH CYBORGS)

  20. I'm not exactly sane but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The second these things reach the sophistication of the human arm, I'm hopping a plane to Tijuana and lopping an arm off.

    I desire:
    Full mental control system.
    Increased reaction/movement speed.
    Tactile feedback, pressure, temperature, pleasure/mild pain.
    Mounted laser cannon (Optional)

    That is all. Nothing much.

    1. Re:I'm not exactly sane but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Tactile feedback, pressure, temperature, pleasure/mild pain. There's an interesting problem. If you had an arm that could be harmlessly smashed to bits and could withstand reasonably high temperatures, where would you set the pain threshold?
    2. Re:I'm not exactly sane but... by pragma_x · · Score: 1

      Good point.

      I guess you could install a kind of "feedback compressor" not unlike the kind you use for a PA system. It would allow a wide range of pain an sensation types up to a threshold where they get clamped or even reduced far below said threshold as to lessen the possibility of shock or psychological harm to wearer. Even accelerometers could come in handy for figuring out the on-going "trauma status" of the prosthetic, well beyond what flesh and bone can do.

      So you could "burn" yourself on the stove as a much needed learning exercise (read: don't break the $10,000 arm), but bamboo shoots under the nails or fingers caught in car doors wouldn't be a problem; freak accidents shouldn't penalize the wearer after all.

      And then, of course, is the "off" switch available on the mil-spec model... ;)

  21. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 1

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  22. Great when can I get my consealed lazer rod? by lindoran · · Score: 1

    All I have to say is 1d6+1 MDC .... Rifts anybody?

  23. Dean Kamen is a genius! by nih · · Score: 0

    mind-controlled prosthetic robot arm he's invented today 1. invent robot arm in one day 2. ??? 3. the world!
    --
    I'm a rabbit startled by the headlights of life :(
  24. Adding silicone skin... by mikael · · Score: 1

    I'd like to see what what of these arms would look like if they could add an artificial silicone skin that other companies have developed.

    --
    Vintage computer adverts: http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/computers-and-software-ads
  25. Speaking as a luddite... by blue+l0g1c · · Score: 1

    you'd have to twist my arm to get me to use one.

    1. Re:Speaking as a luddite... by SlashWombat · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Really? Could we experiment on you? Of course, we need to remove both your arms first, and leave you that way for a few years before we even begin to attempt to "train" you to use the replacement. Hope your good at holding your bladder, or your going to wet yourself whilst pleading with someone to unzip you, and provide the aiming ...

      Seriously, this thing is amazing. Now all we need is a brain replacement for about 50% of the people who respond with off topic or plainly ridiculous statements in their posts on/to slashdot!

      Maybe news for turds is more apt in a fair percentage of cases?!

    2. Re:Speaking as a luddite... by blue+l0g1c · · Score: 1

      A brain replacement? Now who's being ridiculous? Just imagine the guy waking up to his new body. "I was supposed to have a brain replacement, not a full body replacement!"

    3. Re:Speaking as a luddite... by SlashWombat · · Score: 1

      Am I being ridiculous? Just read some of the statements in this thread.

      Iron man / Tony Stark, penis and third arm, etc. Alternatively, comments on the aesthetics of the rubber covering the working parts. Who gives a flying F.., if the prosthetic helps, but offends some of the idiots out there!

      People should engage there minds before putting their mouths into gear! (Same holds true for typing.) Or, if someone puts their foot in their mouth, they should be made to bite!

  26. lightyears by Digitus1337 · · Score: 1, Funny

    How many lightyears until we can see these things in stores?

    1. Re:lightyears by v.dog · · Score: 1

      If they're on Alpha Centauri and you have a really good telescope, about four.

      --
      Don't Panic.
  27. good step in the right direction by jollyreaper · · Score: 3, Funny

    Artificial limbs won't truly be kick-ass until they're better than the organic limbs they replace. And they need to make that reverb sproinging sound whenever they do something cool.

    --
    Kwisatz Haderach
    Sell the spice to CHOAM
    This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
  28. Not a huge leap forward. by mrbluze · · Score: 2, Funny

    Not only would they be "fully articulated" in the bedroom they would also be "sensitive enough" to pick up flowers & wine beforehand. So this is a huge grope forward, not a huge leap forward as the title suggests.
    --
    Do it yourself, because no one else will do it yourself. [beta blockade 10-17 Feb]
  29. 'Nam by Dr.+Cody · · Score: 1

    Hell, my father is just now getting treatment for problems caused by his stint in Vietnam!
    Damn, your dad must be a real trooper to go forty years with the Clap before seeking treatment.

    Best of luck.
  30. pattipace7@yahoo.com by pattipace · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Is the normal weight of the missing limb factored into the design? I am a 50 year old disabled vet and most of the vets I see are only comfortable for a period of time with the prosthetic. Since 1991 I have carried the dead weight of my right hand around. The last seven years has also included the dead weight of my right arm and shoulder. My neck and whole spine is bent to the right now. I would feel much better if I knew this new generation of Veterans would get prosthetics that they will be able to keep on using. Is the natural weight of the limb factored into the design? Thanks!

    1. Re:pattipace7@yahoo.com by SlashWombat · · Score: 3, Informative

      In the second video, it was stated that the arm weight was modeled on a womens arm. I think 8.8 pounds was the stated figure, which does not seem like much considering the arm appears to offer the same range of movements as a normal arm.

      I was a bit curious that the nerves were wired to chest muscles ... A bionic ear (cochlea implant) used to use a small rubbery gadget with 64 "needles" that would prick into the aural nerve when the rubber was wraped around it. (which gave 32 channels to excite that bundle of nerve fibres.) I am surprised something like that wasn't employed (in reverse ... as pick-ups) in at least some of the experiments.

    2. Re:pattipace7@yahoo.com by pattipace · · Score: 1

      The only thing I understood that you said was that the weight is factored in, I am female and the weight is a lot more than eight pounds. I have a BA in the bs of politics, but understand nothing medical. Thanks for answering my question.

  31. Barry Bonds coming out of retirement by topout · · Score: 1

    I can't wait for the MLB prosthetic limb scandal of 2030.

  32. flap of a deltoid muscle flapping around. by heroine · · Score: 1

    Sorta creepy seeing that patient's flap of a deltoid muscle flapping around. What does a patient without a deltoid muscle do for shoulder movement? Wish they would explain how the electronics actually work, but that's what China's for, isn't it.

  33. There has to be a joke in here somewhere by hyades1 · · Score: 1

    "Hey, it really DOES feel like somebody else!"

    --
    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
    1. Re:There has to be a joke in here somewhere by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      The subject of your post is not reflected in its contents.

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  34. Another video... by Slur · · Score: 1

    ...with the exciting servo motor sounds to give a real feel for the technology:

    http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/82

    The last two minutes have the arm demo video. The rest is classic Kamen.

    --
    -- thinkyhead software and media
  35. It's been done.... by Bones3D_mac · · Score: 2, Informative

    Have you never seen the incredibly bad B-flick "Space Truckers"? It pretty much defines robo-penis to a fault.

    --


    8==8 Bones 8==8
  36. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 1

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  37. Did anyone else find it ironic that by T00lman · · Score: 0

    The guy's dream in tfa was to peel a banana... Now after 26 yrs he finally has an arm and there are no more bananas - makes me just wanna cry!

    --
    0x7279727972797279
  38. Ob. Heavy Metal by VanessaE · · Score: 1

    "Earth women who experience sexual ecstasy with mechanical assistance always tend to feel guilty!"