Researchers at Duke University have trained monkeys to move virtual arms by using nothing but their thoughts.
Two monkeys, which were studied at the university's Center for Neuroengineering, learned to direct the virtual hands of a monkey avatar on a computer screen without moving any part of their real bodies. Duke said it's the first-ever two-way interaction between a primate brain and a virtual body, according to a release.
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In the virtual world, the monkeys guided the avatar's hands toward several virtual objects, which were all visually the same, but had different artificial textures that could only be detected when virtually touched. Once they successfully guided the avatar's hands to the objects, the animals were able to distinguish between the various textures.
Despite being tested with monkeys, the development could be groundbreaking for humans. Miguel Nicolelis, the study's leader, said in a release that the experiments could lead to future applications for patients who are severely paralyzed.
These early experiments could hint at a future in which previously immobile patients can regain mobility, and have a restored sense of touch through mind-controlled prostheses. It's a concept that may not be too far off.
Nicolelis is involved in the Walk Again Project, an effort to develop brain-controlled mobility devices for paralyzed people. The project is working on a whole-body exoskeleton that would be controlled by the wearer's thoughts. The technology is set to debut in a demonstration at the 2014 Soccer World Cup in Brazil, Duke reported.
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