Recently demonstrated by researchers in Japan was a robotic hand that is controlled exclusively by human thought. Using the incredibly expensive functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology, the researchers recorded brain activity of test subjects when asked to make rock, paper, and scissor symbols with their hand. They then mapped the data to the robotic hand.

Researchers were then able to control the hand, to replicate the rock, paper, scissors movements, simply by thinking about the appropriate symbol. Using human thought to control robotics or electronics is not an entirely new phenomenon, but this is one of the first times that the scope has really been to actually control a robotic version of a human body part. This is a big step forward in the fields of both robotics and prosthetics, but scientists say the technology is still too costly. The fMRI technology, which is still fairly new, provides excellent data but it is an expensive and time-consuming procedure.

Of course, over time this technology will be able to be produced more cost-effectively and before too long, "androids" will no longer just be a science fiction term. Although, the idea of a real-life Terminator does kind of creep me out.

Via New Scientist.

Report Published by: Mark Raby