Bionic Monkey Arms

[Tuckerfan]

Boi-oi-oi-ing.

As a step toward that goal, University of Pittsburgh researchers report that a monkey outfitted with a child-sized robotic arm controlled directly by its own brain signals is able to feed itself chunks of fruits and vegetables. The researchers trained the monkey to feed itself by using signals from its brain that are passed through tiny electrodes, thinner than a human hair, and fed into a specially designed algorithm that tells the arm how to move.

“The beneficiaries of such technology will be patients with spinal cord injuries or nervous system disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS,” said Andrew Schwartz, Ph.D., professor of neurobiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and senior researcher on the project.

No idea of how much the arm costs, however.

[pinkfreud]

When I opened this thread I was expecting “Bionic Monkey Arms” to be the name of a band.

[Ale]

Oh boy, are we going to regret this when the marauding, cybernetic monkeys of doom drag us out of your post-apocalyptic hideouts to turn us into little cybernetic monkey purina.

[pinkfreud]

I bet this arm will be a tireless poo-flinger. Every affluent monkey will want one.

[Tuckerfan]

@pinkfreud

I bet this arm will be a tireless poo-flinger. Every affluent monkey will want one.

Don’t you mean “effluent monkey”?

[CynicalGabe]

I, for one, welcome our new Bionic Monkey overlords.

[CalMeacham]

You’re late. We did this one weeks ago:

Monkeys Control Robotic Arm with Brain!

[Tuckerfan]

@CalMeacham

You’re late. We did this one weeks ago:

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=303040

Yes, but you didn’t have a cool word like “bionic” in your thread title.

[Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor]

Let us know when they make bionic wings for monkeys, ones that allow flight.

Of course, they’ll have to be sold through Proctologists’ offices…

[BMalion]

Hmmmm…

Cross the “Six Million Dollar Man” with “Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp”…
Sounds like a winner! 2 of my favorite childhood shows, call Hollywood!

[WhiteyFoo]

Damn you CynicalGabe, damn you!!!
I wanted that line.