An electrically-powered exoskeleton (or wearable machine) assists movement when holding and lifting items, especially in the automobile industry. The system uses electricity to power electric motors that do the heavy lifting. Medical researchers are also using exoskeletons to assist people with weakened limbs using energy from battery packs. French researchers have developed a mind-reading exoskeleton to return movement to a quadriplegic person.
The Story of the Young Man with the Mind-Reading Exoskeleton
Thibault fell 50 feet off a building four years ago. He has been unable to move his paralyzed limbs since then. However, he has hung on to a positive attitude, judging by the smile on his face as he learns to use his mind-reading exoskeleton.
Neuroscientists placed two implants, each with 64 electrodes on the surface of Thibault’s brain. These can sense his thoughts relating to movement he wants to make. When he thinks ‘move that finger there’ for example, the implants beam the information to a computer. The computer interprets the data, and turns it into instructions to the exoskeleton which then performs the action. It’s still early days. His movements are imperfect, but remarkable nonetheless.
More Information About These Remarkable Steps Forward
Thibault began by learning to use the brain implants to control an avatar in a computer game. He then learned to move his legs; however arm and hand movements were more of a challenge. The 150-pound exoskeleton attaches to a ceiling harness to help him maintain balance.
He is still only 71% successful with finger and wrist movements. None the less, Prof Alim-Louis Benabid says “This is in the direction of giving better quality of life.” He refuses to contemplate using the technology for military purposes. “We are absolutely not going in the direction of these extreme and stupid applications,” he told a BBC reporter. “Our job is to repair the injured patients who have lost function.”
Meanwhile, Thibault is using his implant to successfully control his wheelchair. As for his first baby steps in his mind-reading exoskeleton, he says it felt like ‘being the first man on the Moon’.
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Preview Image: Learning to Use an Exoskeleton
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