Scientists Hook Neural Interface to Powered Exoskeleton
A team of scientists has connected a robotic exoskeleton to a neural interface so that a patient who has lost their foot and lower leg can control the powered system with their thoughts. By combining the robotic prosthesis with sensors that could sense the signals sent from the man's brain to the foot, the system allowed a far greater range of motion and more control than exoskeletons normally can, according to a study published earlier this month in Wearable Technologies magazine. IEEE Spectrum said it took a lot of physical therapy to get the patient to a point where they could control the technology with their mind. However, this is a major improvement in the drive to give humans complete control over new robot limbs. "This stability and subtle control while standing was quite surprising," the senior study author and biomedical engineer from North Carolina State University told IEEE Spectrum. Typically, robotic exoskeletons come preprogrammed with movements such as