DrGravitas Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 Although near-fully paralyzed patients have been given a means to communicate via eye movements or other small remaining abilities, Ars Technica reports that four patients that are totally paralyzed (unable to even breath or blink) have successfully communicated via a cutting-edge process. This non-invasive technique measures blood-oxygen levels and electrical activity in the brain, fed to a computer to decipher yes or no answers. Through a series of questions and measurements, the computer is trained on what a yes or no looks like in a given patient and for a foundation for communication. 3 of the patients were asked if they were happy and glad to be alive and each responded positively. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socketosis Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 51 minutes ago, DrGravitas said: 3 of the patients were asked if they were happy and glad to be alive and each responded positively. I think it might need some tuning... 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrGravitas Posted February 1, 2017 Author Share Posted February 1, 2017 7 minutes ago, Socketosis said: I think it might need some tuning... I don't think it's hard to believe that they could be happy. The diseases in these 3 cases were a slow degeneration, and they had been in this state for a long while likely giving them time to accept what's happened to them. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saxon Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 Evidently one man was asked if he gave permission for his daughter to marry and he said 'no'. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fantasma Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 What is most impressive to me about this line of technology (reading and interpreting nerve signals) is that it has developed in an entirely non-invasive way. The paralyzed can walk, and all it takes is shaving hair and applying some conductive gel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrGravitas Posted February 2, 2017 Author Share Posted February 2, 2017 21 minutes ago, Johanna Waya said: What is most impressive to me about this line of technology (reading and interpreting nerve signals) is that it has developed in an entirely non-invasive way. The paralyzed can walk, and all it takes is shaving hair and applying some conductive gel. Someday, perhaps, but there are many hurdles to be overcome before a system like this could be used for something as complex as walking. The process requires training to recognize what would be a yes or no. Recognizing the complex, interactive signal processing that goes into coordinating and controlling numerous muscles will be quite another. Moreover, there will need to be a feedback mechanism to provide properly-formmatted sensory information back to the appropriate areas (otherwise it'll be like trying to walk when both your legs are numb). Finally, it will all have to be very quick; any significant lag spike would disrupt the whole process and probably lead to a fall. Certainly, there are many challenges beyond these as well. But, perhaps someday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fantasma Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 1 hour ago, DrGravitas said: Someday, perhaps, but there are many hurdles to be overcome before a system like this could be used for something as complex as walking. The process requires training to recognize what would be a yes or no. Recognizing the complex, interactive signal processing that goes into coordinating and controlling numerous muscles will be quite another. Moreover, there will need to be a feedback mechanism to provide properly-formmatted sensory information back to the appropriate areas (otherwise it'll be like trying to walk when both your legs are numb). Finally, it will all have to be very quick; any significant lag spike would disrupt the whole process and probably lead to a fall. Certainly, there are many challenges beyond these as well. But, perhaps someday! Uhhh it already exists, commercially. It's a japanese exoskeleton. Works perfectly! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAL_(robot) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saxon Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 4 hours ago, Johanna Waya said: Uhhh it already exists, commercially. It's a japanese exoskeleton. Works perfectly! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAL_(robot) The article you cite explains that the machine works differently to what you imagined. Sensors detect electric signals that are generated by the motion of muscles on the body. The machine interprets the signals and provides mechanical assistance. The method of speaking to locked in people that Dr Gravitas posted is also not as simple as applying electrodes; blood flow was also monitored with IR sensors, subjects could only answer simple yes and no questions and the machine only correctly interpreted the signals 75% of the time, which meant that questions needed to be asked multiple times to be sure of the answer. We unfortunately do not yet live in a world where the paralysed can walk again. We live in a world where people with specific types of paralysis can be offered limited forms of assistance. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysocyon Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 5 hours ago, Johanna Waya said: Uhhh it already exists, commercially. It's a japanese exoskeleton. Works perfectly! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAL_(robot) I find it interesting that a robotics company named Cyberdyne makes a robot called HAL and neither one are intentional sci-fi references. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrGravitas Posted February 3, 2017 Author Share Posted February 3, 2017 12 minutes ago, Chrysocyon said: I find it interesting that a robotics company named Cyberdyne makes a robot called HAL and neither one are intentional sci-fi references. I find it incredibly unlikely that they're not intentional XP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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