I saw a link to this over at Spacebattles:
http://neurowear.net/
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"Anyone can be a winner if their definition of victory is flexible enough." - The DM of the Rings XXXV
This is awesome, if done right, they can replace things like arms by using larger, more accurate sensors, and (In the case of a missing arm.) Have the body of that arm have a good amount of the processing power, connected to the helmet/head piece by wireless connection.
I wonder if they are already working on something like this...I would just love to get a crack at this.
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Veni, vidi, vici. [I came, I saw, I conquered
Quote from Julius Caesar
They've been working at it for quite some time. This is just a small sign that the technology will soon be commonplace.
I fail to see the need for a helmet if you are trying to deal with amputations/prothesis.
There is already a large system of nerves in place that people have spent their entire lives learning to use. It makes more sense (at least to me) to hook up to that.
I remember a video (
link) where a person with an upper arm amputation had the nerves that used to lead to their hand rewired to a series of patches on their chest. Those patches of skin where then used as feedback points for tactile sensors from that hand, so the patent could tell when and how hard something was being gripped.
There is certainly a difference between using nerves for feedback vs control, but (from my limited understanding of the topic) they don't seem that far removed.
If we are talking about adding new structures (cat ears or tails) to the human body, then I certainly see the need for a brainwave hat. As there are no existing nerve pathways to take advantage of.
edit: found the video.
and apparently (according to the
wikipedia) the mental remapping and physical remapping follow one another. so that when a person learns to move the remapped muscles (that can be picked up for motor control), the skin sensations will follow (you touch that part of their chest and they feel it as their hand).
also they are now working on
legs.
we truly live in the days of miracle and wonder.
-Terry
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"so listen up boy, or pornography starring your mother will be the second worst thing to happen to you today"
TF2: Spy
sweno Wrote:I fail to see the need for a helmet if you are trying to deal with amputations/prothesis.
There is already a large system of nerves in place that people have spent their entire lives learning to use. It makes more sense (at least to me) to hook up to that.
I remember a video (that my google skills have failed to find) where a person with an upper arm amputation had the nerves that used to lead to their hand rewired to a series of patches on their chest. Those patches of skin where then used as feedback points for tactile sensors from that hand, so the patent could tell when and how hard something was being gripped.
True, very true.
But I wonder if it can be done both ways? Sometimes the nerve endings might be dead in that arm, or something else odd might happen.
What you stated sounds interesting though, as for most cases it sounds like it would work, if they can connect it right. But control would be needed.
It makes me wonder why it is not done at the very least for the greedy rich who always get the best health care when they lose an arm or a leg...
As for the Helmet, I figure that the one sensor they use on the head set its probably cheap compared to the more complex or accurate ones, if they are going to sale this on the market they most likely would want it to be durable.
So, higher quality and more memory/procession power normally means bigger and bulkier machines. If a head set gets too big, they will need to make it into a helmet. That is my reasoning.
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Veni, vidi, vici. [
I came, I saw, I conquered
Quote from Julius Caesar
I'm certain LilFluff feels vindicated.
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Epsilon