2/13/2018 Mind-Controlled Bionics: New Tech Translates Thoughts Into Motion

Enhanced Humans (https://futurism.com/enhancedhumans/)

Mind-Controlled Bionics: New Tech Translates

Thoughts Into Motion
 COAPT

IN BRIEF

New technology in prosthetics is allowing for controlling appendage mechanisms with brain activity.

While not an equivalent replacement of a lost limb, further development of the technology will bring us closer to tapping into the full potential of
advanced prosthesis.

A HELPING HAND

“The idea is that we’re able to translate thoughts into motion,” says Mike McLaughlin of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, the
creators of the Modular Prosthetic Limb (http://www.jhuapl.edu/prosthetics/scientists/mpl.asp). Hopkins is one of the engineering initiatives that
have recently brought advancements in prosthetics and bionic limbs, improving comfort and utility for upper-arm amputees.

Studies from biomedical engineers from Bloorview Research Institute have revealed the ine ciency of market-available prosthetic arms,
indicating that up to 75% of users reject and abandon their reconstructed limbs (http://poi.sagepub.com/content/31/3/236.long). Most arms
available rely on controls developed in the 1950s; they had clunky cables, harnesses. The sensors used were just not intuitive enough for
comfortable use.

In 2013, Coapt (https://coaptengineering.com/)introduced a prosthetic arm enhanced with an new control system that can recognize subtle nerve
signals. Coapt uses pattern recognition to decode electric signals from the remaining arm muscles, with an algorithm focused on intuitive learning
to produce graceful, natural movement. DEKA Research and Development Corp. from Manchester uses the Coapt technology in their bionic arm
LUKE (http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/biomedical/bionics/dean-kamen-luke-arm-prosthesis-receives-fda-approval), intelligently named
after Luke Skywalker’s prosthesis (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Cybernetics)in Star Wars.

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Photo: Megan Scudellari

LIMITS TO OVERCOME

Still, none of these prosthesis systems work like a real hand. Pre-programmed controls are what makes the robotic extensions work. Coapt lets the
user pre-program about six to eight movements for everyday use: pointing, pinching, and making a st, to name a few.

What limits the technology is the sheer complexity of our body. “If you move your arm, there are probably 500 million neurons involved. Right
now, the best we can do is see a few hundred of those neurons,” says McLaughlin.

Scientists hope that future prosthesis can let amputees regain control by tapping into the brain’s symphony directly, by implanting electrodes
under the skin or even directly into the brain. It’s easy to take for granted our automatic, well-organized machine of a body—a simple wave hello or
a handshake greeting is nearly thoughtless action. Someday soon, technology may let us overcome these physical limitations.

References: Spectrum (http://spectrum.ieee.org/the-human-os/biomedical/bionics/thoughtcontrol-systems-advance-bionic-arms?

utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IeeeSpectrum+%28IEEE+Spectrum%29), Prosthetics and Orthotics International
(http://poi.sagepub.com/content/31/3/236.long), John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (http://www.jhuapl.edu/prosthetics/scientists/mpl.asp)

AUTHOR

Jess Vilvestre October 1, 2016

EDITOR

Patrick Caughill

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United Nations Set To Launch Its First Ever Space

Mission for 2021
 Sierra Nevada Corporation

IN BRIEF

NASA will launch a low-orbit space mission in 2021, giving developing countries a chance to participate in space discovery.

A UN space mission brings a new level of global cooperation in scienti c inquiry.

LAUNCHING A DREAM

The United Nations O ce of Outer Space A airs (UNOOSA (http://www.unoosa.org/)) announced that they will launch the Dream Chaser
spaceplane in 2021—the UN’s rst ever space mission. “One of UNOOSA’s core responsibilities is to promote international cooperation in the
peaceful use of outer space,” said Simonetta Di Pippo (https://www.sciencealert.com/the-united-nations-just-announced-its- rst-ever-space-
mission), director of UNOOSA.

The mission is a partnership between the UN and Sierra Nevada Corporation, an aerospace technology company that has previously partnered with
other space explorations, such as NASA’s New Frontiers program missions.

Photo credit: Ken Ulbrich/NASA via AP

The Dream Chaser missions are designed to cater to countries without their own space programs and major scienti c resources. UNOOSA will be
accepting participation proposals and payloads from member countries by next year, when the UN will be brie ng potential partners about the
goals and framework of the mission. Selection will commence in 2018.

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The UN is seeking for major sponsors to nance a large proportion of the space ight.
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A PEOPLE’S MISSION

Developing countries have priority for the trip, but any UN member state can participate in the 14-day ight to low-Earth orbit. The mission aims
to be cost-e ective with extensive technical support for participating countries. Dream Chaser is a reusable spaceplane capable of landing at both
commercial airports and spaceports. It can land and launch at any available port of the member countries.

One of UNOOSA’s founding motivations is the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS
(http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/copuos/history.html)). It aims to keep its mandate to protect people and to maintain a peaceful use of
outer space. It also seeks to prevent space explorations from being a eld of rivalry among international superpowers, an exploitation of countries
with limited resources and technology.

The Dream Catcher is soaring toward the achievement of a dream of technology and advancement for all. The more minds that are able to come
together, the further along we are in the journey to gain a better understanding of the universe around us.

References: Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/bridaineparnell/2016/09/29/un-first-ever-space-mission-2021/#41efbc0286ac), NPR

(http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/09/30/495954858/the-united-nations-is-launching-a-space-mission), Science Alert
(https://www.sciencealert.com/the-united-nations-just-announced-its-first-ever-space-mission)

(https://futurism.com/come-fly-the-cleaner-skies-a-hydrogen-powered-plane-just-took-to-the-skies/)
AUTHOR

Jess Vilvestre October 1, 2016

EDITOR

Patrick Caughill

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