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Man Controls Cybernetic Hand With Thoughts

Posted by Soulskill on from the i-thought-john-connor-destroyed-that-thing dept.

MaryBethP writes "Scientists in Italy announced Wednesday that Pierpaolo Petruzziello, a 26-year-old Italian who had lost his left forearm in a car accident, was successfully linked to an artificial limb that was controlled by electrodes implanted in his arm and connected to the median and ulnar nerves. He has learned to control the artificial limb with his mind. According to CNet, Petruzziello says he could feel sensations in it, as if the lost arm had grown back again. The BBC has a brief video showing the arm in operation."

4 of 81 comments (clear)

  1. Re:This raises important questions... by srothroc · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Without sensation? Seems dangerous. What if you squeeze too hard? Pull too hard?

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    http://www.tenjou.net/
  2. Re:Finally by Erikderzweite · · Score: 2, Insightful

    There is no replacement for brain yet, so your eternal mechanical life will eventually turn into an eternal Alzheimer's.

  3. Re:Optional extras by Dekker3D · · Score: 2, Insightful

    well, a simple compass would be easy: you just wire the feedback to the nerve to how close you point your arm to the north. eventually, you'll be able to feel the other directions simply by familiarity with those specific amounts of feeling.

  4. Re:This raises important questions... by couchslug · · Score: 2, Insightful

    If there is a voice-controlled version, under no circumstances say "Jerk it off!".

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    "This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."