Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Cyborgs?


And now for some more recent technological developments...

A bionic leg is currently in the process of being constructed to help those who have lost their limbs, Reuters reports.

The US Army is sponsoring a clinical trial which is developing the technology that allows a bionic leg to function. Ideally, the leg will be able to move in accordance with the patient's muscles and nerves after learning the individual's nerve signal patterns.

"We're really integrating the machine with the person,” says Levi Hargrove to Reuters. Hargrove, who is leading the research, is from the Rehabilitation Institute of the Center for Bionic Medicine in Chicago.

"The way most prosthetics work now is you have mechanical sensors. You have to push and interact with them," Hargrove added.

"With this, you measure the actual neural intent and have that tell the motor what to do."

The bionic leg will give leg amputees mobility and more freedom in their daily lives. Meanwhile, prosthetic arms have already been developed with similar technology.

In essence, artificial limbs are being created that function according to the owner's brainwaves and nerve impulses. Once this technology is put into use and improved upon, will we have a real-life Terminator scenario? Seems like something out of a dream.

18 comments:

Cpt.Leon said...

Good god were all going to die

Raizoo said...

Very curious about the future...

Eknan said...

The future seems dismal.

Ironic with the increases in technology. This is why I aspire to becoming a hermit.

DubbaDeeDoo said...

I have some screws and rods in me from a surgery a while back. Nothing like artificial limbs, but I hope that's the closest I'll ever be to a "cyborg"... ><

Nom de Plume said...

I can't wait to see how advanced this sort of technology will be in 5-10 years!

sp3nny said...

cyborgs would be awesome

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking about getting mechanical legs, it's a risky operation but I think it'd be worth it

Anonymous said...

the future will be amazing.

Eknan said...

Jlat, do you need them?

Lt Nite said...

A leg that can sense impulses? Thats pretty crazy, the future is going to be so fascinating.

Apostle Triad said...

Damn it seems like technology is taking leaps decades at a time.

Spidey_Sense said...

Bionic anything is cool !

kxxthanxx said...

i wanna be a cyborg!

Kamatacci said...

I'm sure that's not a real tattoo in that pic, but that is still beyond awesome.

PrettyCoolGuy said...

Asta lavista, reality. I think this is actually a great idea. People with prosthetic limbs have much more limited mobility. I'd cut off my arms and legs if I could have them be robotic, possibly with laser guns in my fingers.

Mile High Film said...

tech is telescoping and googleplexing my friend. Shits going to get weird from here on in.

Anonymous said...

Cybergenetic implants equals a longer life-span; i'm all for it ;>

Lunarchy said...

This is good research. All those people with degenerative muscle diseases or amputees will get a new lease on life.