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Breakthrough: Robotic limbs moved by the mind

December 30, 2012 4:32 PM

Humans can now move robotic limbs using only their thoughts and, in some cases, even get sensory feedback from their robotic hands. Scott Pelley reports.

Breakthrough: Robotic limbs moved by the mind

60 Minutes OverTimeScott Pelley, Meet "Robo Sally"

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by Point of Views May 13, 2013 6:18 AM EDT
It really is a great breakthrough in the field of robotic science and it will give lots of benefits to the needy people who lost their limbs in any accident. The latest scientific inventions have changed our lives and it is becoming easy to perform our tasks. More science news can be read on thepointofviewsdotcom
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by rhondajennings114 February 21, 2013 7:29 PM EST
i am 56 yrs. old, in 2004 was in an auto accident, became a quadreplegic.
i would love to be a study partner with this program. i live in louisiana. my e-mail is rhondajennings114@att.net. the best thing that i can imagine is hugging my grandchildren..
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by venusvegasvada January 27, 2013 12:51 AM EST
On the prosthetic story. Bravo!
Absolutely wonderful work. I think it's just fantastic.
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by Bachaholic January 13, 2013 8:40 PM EST
5 to 7 year old grammar.

"How old are you, 5 or 7"?

Thanks for adding to the discussion.
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by Bachaholic January 13, 2013 8:38 PM EST
Thanks for the reply.

I'm sorry, I just disagree. I suspect there would be several people who have debilitating injuries who would be will to be the test subjects. This to me is the correct and fair approach.
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by Bachaholic January 13, 2013 8:34 PM EST
Hi Mecury69,

Why not have a human as the test subject just as they did in the next stage of the process?
Having other species do the dangerous experiments for our gain is a complete disregard for their lives.
Don't get me wrong, as I said in my origin comment, I am thrilled for these people that will benefit.

Thanks
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by Hard_Cory January 9, 2013 10:26 PM EST
I have CP and I am a full quad who has been doing pt all my life but I am st ill confined to a wheelchair and I am a full quad it would be amazing to get to use this technolgy to be abe to walk andmove independantly if you need a candidate I would love to participate
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by cn2150 January 8, 2013 4:25 PM EST
@ Chris S. - I just attended an incredible lecture by Dr. Ling on this massive breakthrough project, and he assured us that the monkeys are in no way tortured or harmed. Their arms are perfectly intact underneath the blanket, and they are simply trained to complete certain tasks for rewards. In the video (~2:50), the monkey is moving the robotic arm to grasp the zucchini chip and bring it to his mouth. They are first trained to complete physical tasks and then it is gradually transitioned into only mental control to complete the tasks. Thus, due to how they are trained, they don't even attempt to move their own arms during the trials. In my opinion, this does not display disregard for life, as people train dogs to sit, etc. for a reward on a regular basis.
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by deanbhall January 3, 2013 12:09 AM EST
Wasn't there a 60 Minutes article a year or two ago, perhaps a little longer, that discussed this same issue and was being developed by Dr. Anthony Ritaccio, a neurologist, at Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York?
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by Bachaholic January 2, 2013 12:28 AM EST
While I am extremely happy for the people who have this new technology, I am disgusted that we continue to torture animals for our gain. Just like this incredibly brave women used in your segment surely some other brave individual could be your "Guinea Pig" The scene with the monkey shows our complete disregard for life.
When will we ever learn. Not soon enough.

Chris S.
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