Bionic Body Parts For the Disabled

DeviceGuru writes "An interesting 11-minute PBS News Hour video demonstrates several bionics projects that use high-tech robotics technology to create artificial body parts capable of assisting people with disabilities. The video demonstrates a robotic exoskeleton called eLegs, an artificial arm that gets wired into up to the user's nerves, a robotic arm operated by a monkey that's now going into human trials, special glasses that provide bionic eyesight for the visually impaired, and a runner with prosthetic legs who hopes to compete in the 2012 Olympics."

Comments

Why would I want an arm operated by a monkey?

[luckytroll]

Who wants an arm that occasionally throws feces at people. Quite embarassing, and all you can say is "Sorry foks, my bionic arm is controlled by a monkey, and hes pissed today"

Re:Why would I want an arm operated by a monkey?

[Errol backfiring]

The bionic brains of politicians are already operated by monkeys for years. That is why they talk sense once in a while. It is only natural to extend that success to other implants.

Don't assume they're inexpensive

[blahblahwoofwoof]

My spouse is an above-knee amputee that wears a good prosthetic clocking in at over $90k. And that's just for one. A spare with lesser parts? $60k. These folks being shown with multiple versions (running, walking, swimming, etc) are sponsored or are wealthy. It's great to see the advancements, but the stuff being shown is $1 million plus or prototyped - they are *not* off-the-shelf. And let's not even get started with trying to get an insurance company to cover them.