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[martinuzz]

I picked this video off the site of one of our major Dutch newspapers today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=76lIQtE8oDY

article in newspaper: http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/2672/Wetenschap-Gezondheid/article/detail/3364623/2012/12/17/Verlamde-vrouw-bestuurt-kunsthand-met-hersenen.dhtml

What amazes me most, is that it took the woman only 3 months, to be able to accomplish a task as complex as shown in the video fluently, using teaching methods also used for revalidating stroke victims.
The next step in development, according to the article, is making sensory feedback from the prothesis to the brain possible.

[DJ]

Now we just need better batteries to start making exoskeletons for handicapped people so they can regain full mobility.

[Il Palazzo]

Now we just need better batteries to start making exoskeletons for handicapped people so they can regain full mobility.

Don't you mean conquer the world?

[Darvi]

+= Awesome

[alway]

One of the most major problems with this sort of thing currently is the time limitation on the implant. With current technology, it won't last more than a few years, with cumulative signal loss as the implant gets older.
http://singularityhub.com/2011/04/07/brain-computer-implant-still-working-in-patient-1000-days-later/
Granted, the next implant may be more advanced by then, but it will likely need to be replaced (requiring ever-dangerous intra-cranial surgery) in a couple years, which will also require re-learning to use it to some extent (as it would be touching slightly different neurons).

Otherwise, this isn't exactly breakthrough; just another small step along the way. Expect to see plenty more in the near future.

[DJ]

Is there a theoretical possibility of reading the signals remotely, ie with one of those electrode caps rather than with implants?

[10ebbor10]

Yeah, the more interesting cybernetic implants are those giving feedback. Think robot eyes and hearing stuff, but they're also progressing with robot hands that can feel. (And even some robot hands that just piggyback on the normal nerves, rather than a direct brain connection)

Is there a theoretical possibility of reading the signals remotely, ie with one of those electrode caps rather than with implants?

The brain's in 3D. We can't get the required resolution yet. They have planned to use these for communication with "comatose" patients, but it only has a 60% succes rate for Yes/no questions, as opposed to the 90% succes rate for direct implantations.

[Loud Whispers]

Some day... We'll have handicaps with laser beams.

[darkrider2]

So basically, Deus Ex?

Cue the inevitable "I didn't ask for this".

[RedKing]

Some day... We'll have handicaps with laser beams.

God-Emperor Stephen Hawking would approve. Although he would have a micro black hole generator on his.

[Pnx]

Haven't we basically been doing this for a long while now? Not really seeing this as much of a breakthrough.

[GlyphGryph]

Is there a theoretical possibility of reading the signals remotely, ie with one of those electrode caps rather than with implants?

Neural Actuators are cool and all, but fairly limited in versatility. As mentioned, we can't really get terribly accurate with them, and probably won't every be improving them enough for high level detail and they won't be able to give feedback.

But yeah they exist. I played a game of pong with one.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

Now we just need better batteries to start making exoskeletons for handicapped people so they can regain full mobility.

But a matter of time. Batteries double in power-to-size every year.

[10ebbor10]

Expskeleton's are quite possible. The problem is that the technology costs millions, and isn't exactly safe. (You're putting electrodes in someone's head, remember)

[Loud Whispers]

Expskeleton's are quite possible. The problem is that the technology costs millions, and isn't exactly safe. (You're putting electrodes in someone's head, remember)

Exoskeletons don't exist as we are biologically for one reason right now; they're freaking heavy. I'm not sure any of us know a thing about the parameters for such a thing, but I'd imagine it'd have to be made out of some awesome plastics or metal compounds and involve a whole lot of science.
Unless you're creating a cyborg, just go for bionics.