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Completely Paralyzed Man Walks In Robotic Exoskeleton

Posted by Soulskill on from the awesome-medtech dept.

Zothecula writes: Working with a team of UCLA scientists, a man with protracted and complete paralysis has recovered sufficient voluntary control to take charge of a bionic exoskeleton and take many thousands of steps. Using a non-invasive spinal stimulation system that requires no surgery, this is claimed (abstract) to be the first time that a person with such a comprehensive disability has been able to actively and voluntarily walk with such a device.

2 of 23 comments (clear)

  1. Hats off by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Good. This is absolutely the type of research and technological progress we need in order to make the world a better place. Excellent job by the researchers, and to the patients who've endured this condition and not lost hope as well.

  2. *Completely* paralyzed? by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Completely Paralyzed Man Walks In Robotic Exoskeleton

    Not to take away from the achievements that are the subject of the story, which are frankly brilliant, but is someone who clearly has control over their upper body completely paralyzed?

    --
    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.