Paralyzed man walks after bluetooth connects his brain and spine

[Flinn]

I have 0 experience in the matter, but the news in itself it's shocking... it's not only about paralyzed people in general, but also about all the other possibilities it implies (controlling stuff with our brain in remote )



Does anyone here have any better insight on the matter?

[alhoon]

There are ethical considerations about this. It is awesome for paralyzed people or people that due to age start facing mobility problems. It has however the dystopian option of someone else remote-controlling "linked" people's bodies against their will. See all the crap done to the rental cars that can be suddenly deactivated under you etc. I.e. companies have already abused such systems installed in cars (supposedly so they can't be stolen).

[sumskilz]

This technology has been in development for a long time.

From 2008:

[Flinn]

This technology has been in development for a long time.

From 2008:

It's still a complete shocker to me, I mean I had no idea they could actually connect the nervous system to an electronic device such as the Bluetooth

As I said I'm no expert at all, but to me it really looks as science fiction.

@ alhoon, I agree, the moral implications can be huge.

[Muizer]

It's still a complete shocker to me, I mean I had no idea they could actually connect the nervous system to an electronic device such as the Bluetooth

As I said I'm no expert at all, but to me it really looks as science fiction.

@ alhoon, I agree, the moral implications can be huge.

As far as I know this is yet another part of the AI revolution. It isn't just, or even primarily, about making the connection. It's about the use of AI to 'learn' how to use that connection. I don't know the specifics either, but I suspect the subject needs to think about doing something and then there has to be some positive feedback when the limb responds as desired. If so, that training process will be highly individual, and trained models are for all intents and purposes black boxes. So I don't really see one person controlling the actions of another through this technique.

[Flinn]

As far as I know this is yet another part of the AI revolution. It isn't just, or even primarily, about making the connection. It's about the use of AI to 'learn' how to use that connection. I don't know the specifics either, but I suspect the subject needs to think about doing something and then there has to be some positive feedback when the limb responds as desired. If so, that training process will be highly individual, and trained models are for all intents and purposes black boxes. So I don't really see one person controlling the actions of another through this technique.

I see, but what I don't really get is how they have physically connected his brain with an electronic device, how is that even possible with modern technology and the relatively limited knowledge we have of the brain?

[Ludicus]

In fact, the threat of a new Frankenstein remotely controlled against his will via a digital implant, is not the first thing that comes to mind.
--
What is extremely encouraging, is the fact that this digital bridge seems to establish a framework to restore natural movement control after paralysis: a path, in some patients, towards a slow neurorehabilitation. Walking naturally after spinal cord injury using a brain–spine Nature

Le'ts say, as Armstrong has put it, that's one small step for man...