Once again, the Japanese have done something pretty cool.
Paralyzed man controls online avatar with his brain.
We’re one step closer to where ‘logging in’ would mean putting on some headset or even plugging a little adapter into the base of your skull, closing your eyes, and letting your brain do the work for you.
Could just lay back, relax, and browse Amazon without lifting a finger.
That’s more than cool; that’s fucking amazing! I’m all a-tingle.
This is indeed a major leap forward in the use of technology to mentally torture the handicapped.
“You know how you can’t walk around anymore, because you’re paralyzed? Well, we can’t do anything about that. But we CAN hook you up to a gadget in which you can control a little picture of yourself walking! This computerized version of you can run, jump about, and even hump like a monkey! All the things that the real you can’t do! Because you’re paralyzed!”
I feel certain that physically impaired people everywhere will be profoundly moved by this breakthrough, inspired to join together in fellowship and cry out, “What about the legs? Bastards! Where the hell are our robotic legs?”
If they can control an avatar, they could control mechanical legs, I would think.
Robotics are much, much more difficult than video games.
Progress takes steps and it looks like this is one step.
Sorry, I guess I did come across as “eh, cool…” earlier. I didn’t mean it that way though, I do think it’s just as amazing. Imagine the doors this has opened for technology, and it would be so cool to see paralyzed people walking with this. I can’t wait to see how far this can go.
I’m now imagining a doctor controlling a tiny nanobot with his mind to do intricate surgery.