Brain sensor allows "mind-control"
Dishonorable Scum
12-07-2006, 20:31
Today's Mad Scientist News is brought to you by the Borg. Resistance is futile!
Brain sensor allows mind-control
A sensor implanted in a paralysed man's brain has enabled him to control objects through just the power thought.
The experimental set-up allowed the man, who has no limb movement at all, to open e-mail, play a computer game, and pinch a prosthetic hand's fingers.
Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5167938.stm
Just so we're clear on what we're talking about, this is about control of machines by the mind, not control of the mind by machines. So far, anyway...
But it's an intersting development. Assuming that these devices can be made reliable enough and sensitive enough, robotic limbs are a real possibility. Where it leads from there - well, who knows? Battle suits, anyone?
Philosopy
12-07-2006, 20:33
I saw that on the news earlier. It reminded me of The Borg and sent a shiver down my spine.
HC Eredivisie
12-07-2006, 20:34
'direct-into-the-brain-downloaded-pr0n'?
I saw that on the news earlier. It reminded me of The Borg and sent a shiver down my spine.
You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile. And that's few-TILE, not fu-til.
Outcast Jesuits
12-07-2006, 20:35
Finally! I've been waiting for so long....
So, when can I trade in my body for a cybernetically enhanced version? Frankly this meat sack I walk around in is annoying to maintain.
Dishonorable Scum
12-07-2006, 20:39
'direct-into-the-brain-downloaded-pr0n'?
No way. I am NOT hooking up my brain directly to the Internet! There are enough random thoughts in my head as it is!
The Aeson
12-07-2006, 20:39
"We are the Borg. Lower your shields and power down your weapons. You will be assimilated. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile."
<.<
Now they just need to build Daleks, and we can have the fight of the millenium.
No way. I am NOT hooking up my brain directly to the Internet! There are enough random thoughts in my head as it is!
Oh god there's pop up ads in my brain! HELP!
"We are the Borg. Lower your shields and power down your weapons. You will be assimilated. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile."
<.<
Now they just need to build Daleks, and we can have the fight of the millenium.
NO NO NO!
No one ever gets it right...sheesh...its more like:
"We are the Borg. Lower your shields and surrender your ships. You will be assimilated. Your biological and technological distictiveness will be added to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile."
Of course, that's just the really long version from First Contact. Typically, they just have the first, third, and last lines, though occasionally the fourth as well.
Scotmerica
12-07-2006, 20:44
This kind of stuff is very neat in about 10 years I bet all of this will be very common in everyday life people turning stuff on and off with chips planted in their minds and all that other stuff
'direct-into-the-brain-downloaded-pr0n'?
I've been working on that one for years.
Philosopy
12-07-2006, 20:45
NO NO NO!
I can think of many more important things to get flustered about. :p
The Aeson
12-07-2006, 20:45
NO NO NO!
No one ever gets it right...sheesh...its more like:
"We are the Borg. Lower your shields and surrender your ships. You will be assimilated. Your biological and technological distictiveness will be added to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile."
Of course, that's just the really long version from First Contact. Typically, they just have the first, third, and last lines, though occasionally the fourth as well.
Gah. Let's try that again.
"We are the Borg. Lower your shields and power down your weapons. You will be assimilated. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Resistance is futile."
Better?
Philosopy
12-07-2006, 20:46
Gah. Let's try that again.
"We are the Borg. Lower your shields and power down your weapons. You will be assimilated. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Resistance is futile."
Better?
You still have 'power down your weapons', which I thought was his main objection.
I can't believe we're discussing this...
Espopalonia
12-07-2006, 20:50
This probably means much more to those who are paralysed, like the person in the study, then to any completely ambulatory persons.
Being able to connect to the world again. Horray for science.
Dishonorable Scum
12-07-2006, 20:53
This probably means much more to those who are paralysed, like the person in the study, then to any completely ambulatory persons.
Being able to connect to the world again. Horray for science.
You've got a point there. I wouldn't willingly surrender a perfectly functioning natural limb for a robotic replacement, but if I was paralyzed or missing a limb, I'd jump at the chance.
Dishonorable Scum
12-07-2006, 20:54
I can't believe we're discussing this...
My fault - I mentioned the Borg in the original post, which is enough to make them on-topic. :headbang:
You've got a point there. I wouldn't willingly surrender a perfectly functioning natural limb for a robotic replacement, but if I was paralyzed or missing a limb, I'd jump at the chance.
Why not? It would certainly be stronger, it wouldn't be subject to things like arthritis or carpal tunnel. I see no legitimate reason not to.
Espopalonia
12-07-2006, 21:13
Why not? It would certainly be stronger, it wouldn't be subject to things like arthritis or carpal tunnel. I see no legitimate reason not to.
Perhaps because our living limbs have completely functional movement, with no complications. As well as having the capability to self-heal, along with keeping up with the developement of our body. Imagine having to treat a limb like a car.
Well certainly it'd be a bad idea until the technology matures, but I see no reason not to use replacement parts. Humans are so damn frail.
Iztatepopotla
13-07-2006, 01:16
It's very encouraging. I've been following these developments for the better part of a decade, since they connected a bunch of electrodes to a Rhesus monkey to make it move a cursor across a screen. It's nice to see it's so close to fruition.
It will also lead to the development of remote controled military vehicles and weapons, but meh.
Iztatepopotla
13-07-2006, 01:19
Why not? It would certainly be stronger, it wouldn't be subject to things like arthritis or carpal tunnel. I see no legitimate reason not to.
I can think of two reasons: sensory feedback, and degrees of movement. No reason, however, not to connect an extra arm or two, even remotely, for tough, risky, or delicate jobs. Rats and monkeys connected to a remote robotic arm have developed the neural pathways necessary to control them just like any other limb.