Comments on: The Pentagon's Bionic Arm
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- I think the bionic arm could mimic the other arm when the other arm moves less distance.
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- (1) why isn't dr. ling getting kuniholm and kamen to collaborate --
control by toes seemed silly once you saw the control by nerves;
(2) why don't they body-scan soldiers so we have
exact arm dimensions in a database; when possible,
why don't they scan the remaining arm and mirror its
dimensions mathematically so that we have an exact
replica of the person's limb; they use similar techniques
for silly electronic sports games but not for this;
(3) why aren't they feeding those real-world anatomical
dimensions into their computer-assisted prefabrication;
(4) why aren't they using fiber-optics to send signals -- wires are so 1980's;
(5) why aren't they using fiber-bundles to simulate finger nerve-endings;
(6) why aren't they employing advanced material scientists
to create advanced gels and ceramics for external parts;
(7) why isn't mit using stem-cells to grow arms;
(8) you could fit 240 deka-arm projects into one manhattan project.
that is no way this development is on the scale of a manhattan project. - Reply to this comment
- A fantastic future.
If we only embrace it.
ST
"Yes indeed, I have a new plan, for all of you. A plan of hope. A plan of adventure. A plan of such extraordinary magnitude as to take the breath, and challenge the senses, of all who would consider it. A plan to bind our common people in hope, and finally free our conscience for noble purpose."
SearingTruth, A Future of the Brave
A Future of the Brave - Reply to this comment
- As someone very involved in FIRST Robotics (founded by Dean Kamen) I have been aware of Dean's incredible contributions to society over his lifetime. He continues to inspire those of us in the technical arena, as well as the next genertation of our brightest engineers and scientists.
Thank you for this wonderful report. - Reply to this comment
- That was genuinely beautiful.
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- How do you get more information on the leg part of your story? It was a minor part of your story, but I lost my leg in an accident 3 years ago and am having problems getting a prosthetic leg. A company named Symmetry is supposed to be working w/Walter Reed to deal w/situations very much like mine (the complications). They have designed a prosthetic leg w/ a socket about 1/2 the size of the standard size, but they won't share their technology. That is my only hope of being able to get a leg (the new socket design). So I am in HIGH hopes maybe you can give me more leads on prosthetic makers working w/Walter Reed. Time is running out before I am forever stuck in a wheel chair if we don't get me up on a prosthetic leg soon. Symmetry expects everyone to come to Alabama several times for a week @ a time to get their new leg and of course all your follow-up appointments too. I can't do that. I am in WA (the state) and want to walk again very badly. I am an above the knee amputee so any addtional information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I know our military has paid the ultimate price and people like me are benefiting from the new technology that is out there. The problem is how do we find it and use it? I really appreciated your story and the information and hope you did provide, and hope you can provide me w/some contacts so maybe I can get more information so I can walk again. THANK YOU!!!
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- Thank you for reporting on this remarkable technology. I would like to thank everyone involved with this project for the hard work that they have put in. This technology will truely benefit those who have lost an arm for whatever reason and will enable them to regain a part of what they have lost. While the horrors of war are indeed unspeakable, breakthroughs like this may be one of the few posititive outcomes that give rise to hope for a better future.
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- I also find it unbelievable to say that a 100 mill is a lot of money for these robotic arms, when we just bailed out the banks, AIG, Wall street, and the Auto co.'s for more than a trillion and a half dollars, and I don't see any of those people going to prison yet!!!!!Get Real
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- I find it dishearting that you refer to $100 million as a lot of money to research and develop a limb for veterans. That's less than the government spends in Iraq in one day. Why not stop this winless war and then all that money will seem like chump change.
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- To say that the opposable thumb is what makes us human is beyond ignorant. All apes have it, raccoons have it, I am fairly certain there are other species that have it too. The colonel, while well meaning and obviously enthusiastic, is a moron.
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