Thought-Controlled Exoskeletons Aren't Science Fiction Anymore

[Brnin8]

Why am I picturing Space Marine style power armor and dreadnoughts coming into existence? I can see the importance of something like this to amputees and people with paralyzed limbs, but why do I think this will see military application first?

This raises some questions about how this technology will develop and who it will be used for primarily.

 

[Ohlookit'sMatty]

Strange thing is I was talking about this very subject this morning& the progress that is been done within the milarty in this area // As the tech gets smallers this will become all to real

-M

 

[ishist]

Forget the exoskeletons, I'm looking for Good Ol' Sci-Fi jack-in-the-back-of-your-head VR. If they can simulate the sense of touch they are that much closer. I hope I'll be able to get a jack installed with financing.

 

[Fr]anc[is]

Dude, I just started playing Alpha Centauri, and one of the techs talks about having thoughts going into your mind as well...

 

[Rigs83]

Reminds me of this. [http://www.gizmag.com/raytheon-significantly-progresses-exoskeleton-design/16479/]

It was introduced to the world alongside the Iron Man 2 DVD and BLU-Ray release I kid you not.

 

[Fenring]

Why is there a picture of a walker that is CLEARLY controlled by motions, NOT THOUGHTS, as the image?

 

[Evilsanta]

Sweet...Though i will wait untill i can get my own mecha.

 

[Axzarious]

Sweet! Finally we can make those SPESS MAHRINES and crusade for the GLORY OF THE EMPRAH!

I'm actually baffled why they didnt think of this sooner, when its basically been proven that you can invoke various emotions and feelings by electrically stimulating the brain, or applying pressure to certian points.... Thats if i'm remembering what ive read correctly.

 

[One of Many]

I want a robot suit now.

 

[Wintermoot]

wow! they FINALY made a psychoo frame, maybe THIS is the answer on how to pilot a mech (IE Gundam style mech,s)

 

[ssManae]

wow! they FINALY made a psychoo frame, maybe THIS is the answer on how to pilot a mech (IE Gundam style mech,s)

But... that's not what a psycommu system is for... But this could function like one and let you control bits and funnels.

TO elaborate on the engineering side for y'all, this is actually pretty far along. Using GPU threading, it's possible even now to parse thousands of signals from the brain. In real time. It's just a matter of training the program and user together to get it working right. What's holding this back the most at this moment is the physical interface. You can't stick probes in the brain, and probes outside of your skull don't pick up signals densely enough to have a lot of channels. There are non-probe contacts that go directly on the brain, but they have a bad habit of sliding around that has to be solved.

But, in a few years, they may finally be to human trials. Drill a small hole in the skull, slip in some sensors, and its time for some therapy to get things working.

 

[Fasckira]

Meanwhile, the military rub their hands together eagerly and crack open a bottle of bubbly...

Leaving aside the mech idea (which I agree is very cool), and hoping the military dont hog the tech, it would be awesome to see people like Stephen Hawkins with this. The question is would he use his power for good or would we all cower beneath the mighty steel feet of Robo Hawkins?

 

[DTWolfwood]

Hmm rather than gundam (which still uses actual controls), im thinking more on the line of the

Spoiler: Galactic Pretty Boy

XD

Well interesting development but I thought they already have exoskeletons that respond to and amplify the movements of human extremities. i.e.

Spoiler: The Hal-5 Exoskeleton

 

[OblivionSoul]

WANT!

No seriously... This would make pretty much all my dreams come true XD

 

[Steve the Pocket]

Awesome, one more step closer to GITS type cyberization. I'm actually somewhat hopeful I may see it in my lifetime.

If anyone hears about volunteers needed for cyberization let me know. I want to be FIRST in line.

You'll likely have to fight all the people who lost their limbs in tragic accidents and war veterans who lost theirs while making heroic sacrifices for the position. I know I'd ration the prototypes out to them first if it were me.

 

[airrazor7]

Think of the possibilities for things like artificial limbs. FINALLY, I can get that arm-canon upgrade I've always wanted.

I agree except you can keep the arm canon. The potential recoil of an arm canon sounds deadly for the user. Besides I'd prefer the electrical casting glove used in the book Daemon.

Silliness aside, the applications using the technology to enhance or create better synthetic and prosthetic limbs would be awesome. The fiction of Ghost in the Shell or Deus ex: Human Revolution would be a step or two closer to reality. Heck, screw the fiction (for now) think of what this could mean to people who have lost or lame limbs or are bound to wheel chairs. People could walk again without becoming poster running athletes using those bouncy prosthetics. People could could have arms that would feel somewhat natural in usage. Also, people could control machinery with their minds and I'm pretty sure we are all thinking about mind controlled games. It could also be another step further into the uncanny valley if feedback were to be made possible. Basically what if you don't just send mental signals to whatever you're controlling but receive them as well; after all, sensations such as pain and pleasure are all in the mind. Sensation is only a reactionary signal from the brain and signals can probably be engineered/created.