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Monkeys Use Minds To Control Avatar Arms

Posted by samzenpus on from the I-for-one-welcome-our-new-monkey-overlords dept.

sciencehabit writes "Researchers have for the first time devised a setup that allows monkeys to control two virtual arms with their thoughts. Two monkeys had electrodes implanted into its right and left brain hemisphere, which recorded the activity of up to 500 neurons acting together—the highest number of neurons yet used in such an experiment. The animal's task was to control the movement of two avatar arms on a computer monitor: To get a fruit juice reward, it had to place both hands over two circles and hold them there for 100 milliseconds. A computer algorithm processed the monkey's brain activity, homing in on patterns of neurons firing as it learned to do the task. Both animals' performances improved over time, and the researchers noticed that their neuronal firing patterns changed as this happened, suggesting that their brains were adapting to the brain-machine interfaces. This could be because the monkeys came to consider the virtual arms as part of their own bodies, the lead researcher suggests. 'The animals literally incorporate the avatar as if the avatar was them.'"

25 of 43 comments (clear)

  1. the next huge videogame by themushroom · · Score: 3, Funny

    BrainLink: Poo Fling 3000!

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    Laughter is the Spackle of the Soul.
  2. Tougher Challenge by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Fling poo!

  3. Isn't that how "Surrogates" started? by mark-t · · Score: 1

    [nt]

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    File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
  4. Re:Amazing by dmbasso · · Score: 5, Funny

    Show me one example of anyone anywhere controlling anything without using their mind.

    Republicans in government? [e.g. http://science.slashdot.org/story/13/11/06/2139206/republican-proposal-puts-national-interest-requirement-on-us-science-agency ]

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    `echo $[0x853204FA81]|tr 0-9 ionbsdeaml`@gmail.com
  5. If even monkeys can use it... by hyades1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...how long can it be until Slashdotters are reported using the avatar to get a hand job that feels like somebody else?

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    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
    1. Re:If even monkeys can use it... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Would you trust a mechanical hand to not accidentally rip off your cock? And no, I don't think they would be able to reattach it at the hospital, they'd be too busy laughing.

      Well, I trusted some meth-addict skank with like a hundred piercings and tattoos not to accidentally bite it off the other day, so why not?

    2. Re:If even monkeys can use it... by hyades1 · · Score: 1

      Thanks for making me laugh so hard I think I woke up the people next door.

      --
      I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
    3. Re:If even monkeys can use it... by nightsky30 · · Score: 1

      ...how long can it be until Slashdotters are reported using the avatar to get a hand job that feels like somebody else?

      "Oh, yeah, just like a real hand" - http://bigbangtheory.wikia.com/wiki/The_Robotic_Manipulation

  6. an oldie by Falconhell · · Score: 2

    I for one welcome our 4 armed monkey overlords.

  7. Re:Amazing by ljw1004 · · Score: 1

    Why is it interesting? -- because it won't be long before the monkeys can start working as editors on Slashdot.

  8. Tools by felixrising · · Score: 2

    This isn't new, "The idea that the human brain sees tools as an extension of the body is an old one. Now scientists have some proof that it's true." Link: http://www.livescience.com/9664-brain-sees-tools-extensions-body.html

  9. I guess.. by wbr1 · · Score: 1
    That is why they used humans in the movie. If they had used monkeys, we would have had giant blue alien paraplegics.

    Then again Sigourney Weaver did star in Gorillas in the Mist...

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    Silence is a state of mime.
  10. We can only hope... by Zontar+The+Mindless · · Score: 1

    That, when they replace the current crop of summary writers, the monkeys will be able to distinguish singular and plural.

    Two monkeys had electrodes implanted into its right and left brain hemisphere...

    *shudder*

    (I am an editor: the shudder is real.)

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    Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
    1. Re:We can only hope... by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 1

      (I am an editor: the shudder is real.)

      Shouldn't that be a semicolon?

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      systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
    2. Re:We can only hope... by Zontar+The+Mindless · · Score: 1

      No.

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      Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
  11. Get your paws off me you dirty ape. by iplayfast · · Score: 1

    Monkeys Use Minds To Control Avatar Arms

    Those monkeys get into everything!

  12. Re:Amazing by nightsky30 · · Score: 1

    As long as said implants don't affect memory and cause more dupes, I'm on board with the plan :)

  13. Cue military experiments by Gibgezr · · Score: 1

    Cue military experiments involving "gun arms" in 3,2,1...

  14. Spider Monkey by Chente · · Score: 1

    Just like the rest of us monkeys are going to have to learn that, "With great power comes great responsibility."

  15. Re:Amazing by Russ1642 · · Score: 1

    Good answer.

  16. what would you choose? by cellocgw · · Score: 1

    If you could get direct cranial links to body part avatars, which parts would you like some extras of? //thinking of 2 more ears so could hear Quadrophenia the way it's supposed to be heard :-)

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    https://app.box.com/WitthoftResume Code: https://github.com/cellocgw
  17. Get your virtual hands off me by geekoid · · Score: 1

    you damn dirty ape!

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    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  18. Re:Amazing by geekoid · · Score: 1

    "using my mind!"
    doubtful...

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    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  19. Re:He can talk.... (he can talk, he can talk) by laie_techie · · Score: 1

    I CAN SINNNNNNNNNG

    Totally funny. Don't know why you got rated as off-topic.

  20. We'll be fine just as long as.... by EricTheGreen · · Score: 1

    ....none of 'em answer to the name "Caesar"....