DARPA to test thought-controlled prosthetic arm on humans

Artificial limbs and prosthetics aren’t new to us who have been following medical advancements closely. We’ve seen prosthetic hand that functions almost like the real hand and have also seen thought-powered prosthetic arms, still DARPA’s thought-controlled prosthetic arm sounds fresh and exciting. This because, it will be the first occasion ever when human brain will be implanted with neural interface (micro-arrays that record signals) to help operate artificial limbs.

darpa thought controlled prosthetic arm

DARPA, as part of their Revolutionizing Prosthetics Program is readying to test the Modular Prosthetic Limb (MPL), a thought-controlled prosthetic arm on humans. The MPL that weighs 9 pounds, almost equaling weight of a human arm, offers 22 degrees of motion with independent movement for each finger. DARPA has provided Johns Hopkins with a $34.5 million contract to expand prosthetic abilities of the MPL and test it in real life situation for its capabilities.

Via: DangerRoom