Completely Paralyzed Man Walks In Robotic Exoskeleton

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.

Comments

Hats off

[Anonymous Coward]

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.

Bet he cost more than $6 million

[gurps_npc]

But it wouldn't surprise me if his name is Steve and lives in Austin.

What a patient

[fred911]

FTA

"In the latest study, the researchers treated Mark Pollock, who lost his sight in 1998 and later became the first blind man to race to the South Pole. In 2010, Pollock fell from a second-story window and suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down."

"âoeStepping with the stimulation and having my heart rate increase, along with the awareness of my legs under me, was addictive. I wanted more,â he said."

  Sounds like a pretty strong dude.

Re: What a patient

[binarylarry]

In 2016, Mark lost both arms in a freak robotic suit electrocution accident.

Scientists are working on on a tritium powered, eight limbed robotic exo skeleton and prerequisite inhibitor chip to help him overcome his latest disability.

*Completely* paralyzed?

[wonkey_monkey]

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?