Scientists from all over the world are actively working to make the lives of people with disabilities more comfortable. For example, some time ago, engineers managed to connect the human brain to a neural interface, which allows using brain activity to send text messages to a computer. Now, experts from Johns Hopkins University have decided to significantly improve the standard of living of people with paralysis of the hands – with the help of the latest development, they will literally be able to feed themselves. While it may sound trite, the technology is actually really ambitious.
Scientists say they have created a unique brain-machine neural interface that allows a person with partial paralysis to eat independently using robotic arms specially designed for this task. It is enough for a person with disabilities to direct the robotic tool with the help of a fist movement (this is a conditional analogue of a hint so that the machine understands where to make a cut or where to stick a fork), while the rest of the mechanism will do itself – it will cut or prick the food, after which it will bring it to the user’s mouth . The authors of the project said that a person using this technology can eat dessert in 90 seconds.
In addition, the creators of this development stated that their method is based on the latest new control system, which reduces the amount of human mental effort required to effectively perform certain tasks to a minimum. For this, in fact, a hint system was implemented – robotic limbs based on an artificial intelligence system react to user advice, reducing the overall workload. This means that a person with disabilities will have to spend less energy on the necessary brain activity.
However, the scientists themselves note that their technology is still too young – it will still be actively improved and finalized. For example, developers want to implement touch feedback that will conditionally copy touches on something so that the user can rely on more than just visual perception. Also, engineers plan to improve the accuracy and efficiency of mechanical limbs in the foreseeable future, completely leveling the need for visual confirmation. And in the long term, this kind of robotic manipulators will make the lives of many people much more comfortable.
Source: Trash Box
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