Dec 28 2010
Scientists at the University of Chicago have developed and tested a new thought controlled robot hand that offers both visual and movement sensory feedbacks. The movement sensory feedback enables the robot arm to move more precisely, and is better than earlier models that use only visual feedback.
During the demonstration, monkeys were used to control a cursor using the robotic arm with the help of brain-machine interface. With the help of the sensory feedback, monkeys controlled the cursor 40% more precisely when compared to earlier systems. The device could prove useful for a disabled person.
During the experiments, the scientists also monitored the monkey’s brain activity using the movement, which is called a proprioception feedback in medical terminology. They observed that the brain region, accountable for performing the moves, has more information than using only visual feedback.
The results of the experiment have been published on the Journal of Neuroscience, December 15th edition.
Source: http://www.uchicago.edu