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A Better Thought-Controlled Computer Cursor
An anonymous reader writes "Stanford researchers have developed a new algorithm (Abstract only) that significantly improves the control and performance of neural prosthetics — brain-controlled computer interfaces for individuals suffering from spinal cord injury and neurodegenerative disease to aid interaction with computers, drive electronic wheelchairs, and control robotic arms and legs. With this algorithm, monkeys implanted with multielectrode arrays in motor regions of their brain controlled a computer cursor more quickly and accurately than ever before, including navigation around obstacles. Further, the system maintained this high performance across 4 years, demonstrating long-term reliability. These improvements in performance and robustness are crucial for clinically-useful neural prosthetics, and pave the way for success in clinical trails."
Using this algorithm, we demonstrate repeatable high performance for years after implantation in two monkeys, thereby increasing the clinical viability of neural prostheses
Two monkeys! Read that again. Slowly. Sound it out. T W O. Tee Double You Oh. Ok, that doesn't make sense. Just read it as two monkeys. Or, is that two monkey. But in case you missed it 2 monkeys have been implanted and this increases the viability. Such a sample size is incredible, really. This is shattering. Just think what a million monkeys could do! Probably write some arbitrary text... such as the complete works of William Shakespeare. Just the thought is humbling.
Before some idiot monkey savant comes along and says that would require infinite time, just remember that the researchers implanted stuff into the monkeys, thus reducing the time required. Additionally, the researchers demonstrators demonstrated their expectationally high performance when it comes to implanting stuff into the monkeys. They did it for years before their willies fell off. Dedication. That's what's missing from most of the youth of today: dedication. I commend these researchers. Not only did they keep repeating the impregnation procedure, but they did it for years!
Shit. I am logged in. Ok, which monkey has the cookie? C'mon. Own up... I will free willie if you do. Willie for cookie. Please?