The human body is an incredible piece of engineering, designed to carry out precise and complex movements almost unconsciously. However, when things go wrong either through illness or trauma, regaining full function can be very difficult.
This is where technology steps in, supporting the brain to recover as much as possible by offering a new way of achieving movement and accurate function. Bionic limbs and artificial intelligence may seem like a sci-fi fantasy, but this is no longer the case. Robotic limbs and neural control have been actively studied for almost three decades, and have now become an accepted potential solution for the new millennium.
A new breed of prosthetics
Historically, prosthetic limbs for most people provided a cosmetic result but only limited functionality. Although it may have been possible to walk on a prosthetic leg or use an artificial hand, the appearance was superior to its accuracy of use.
A new breed of prosthetics has changed all of this, bringing properly functioning artificial limbs using a range of techniques. The results of some of these have been nothing short of revolutionary, with one Swedish amputee benefiting from implanted neuromuscular interfaces. This invasive procedure allowed him to regain excellent fine and gross motor movements including tying laces and operating machinery, unaffected by environmental factors.
This represented a large step towards a more integrated approach to neurocontrol of movement and prosthetic limbs, but with invasive procedures that still had to be endured, it’s a process which still requires research and refining.
Reconfiguring neurocontrol
Not all forms of neurocontrol require invasive procedures, and this is perfectly demonstrated with the subvocal commands used to control wheelchairs using nothing but the power of the mind.
For tetraplegics with total loss of movement, neurocontrol provides a freedom not previously possible. To activate the technology, the commands only need to be silently “spoken” in the brain, with sensors placed around the neck acting in a similar way to an EEG. These receivers collect the neurological signals and route them to the computer, allowing the software to translate the thoughts into action. Bypassing the need for surgery or invasive techniques which carry the risk of complications, the period of training the brain is much shorter than other forms of rehabilitation.
Bringing prosthetics into the future
The principles of neurocontrol combined with research using AI have been used by Neurogress to radically transform the prosthetics industry.
A leader in the field of neural interfaces and mechatronics systems, Neurogress are developing prosthetic limbs which don’t require the individual to have to go through painful and difficult surgery. As a non-invasive technique, there are virtually no risks, putting neurocontrol within the grasp of more people than ever before.
Synchronising limb movements by learning neural interface interactions, the pioneering software from Neurogress builds on the existing neural systems available. The sensors from the neural interface read the neural signals from the brain, relaying them to the software for conversion into movement.
While this type of neural technology is still in its infancy, experts believe that it could represent the future for prosthetics, making all kinds of appliances and artificial limbs far easier to control and move for those with limited function.
Can you imagine using nothing but the power of your mind to move objects? Should neurocontrol be developed further or is it providing too much power to artificial intelligence?
Invest in the interactive mind-controlled devices of the future by buying tokens now. Visit Neurogress.io.