Communications of the ACM
Mind-Controlled Exoskeleton to Kick Off World Cup
A young man used a thought-controlled exoskeleton to overcome his paralysis and kick the first ball at the opening of the World Cup.
Credit: Heavy.com
A paralyzed young adult using an exoskeleton controlled by his thoughts took the first kick of the World Cup in Thursday's opening ceremony in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The exoskeleton belongs to the Walk Again Project, an international collaboration using technology to overcome paralysis. The suit supports the lower body and is controlled by brain activity detected by a cap of electrodes placed over the head. Brain signals are sent to a computer, which converts them into movement.
There is a phenomenal amount of technology within the exoskeleton, says lead robotic engineer Gordon Cheng from the Technical University of Munich in Germany. For example, he says the suit makes use of sensors to feed information about pressure and temperature back to the arms of the user, who still has sensation.
The researchers believe this will replicate to some extent the feeling of kicking a ball.
From New Scientist
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