Monkeys On Wheels

The researchers at Duke University have created a wireless brain-machine interface that has given monkeys the ability to control wheelchairs. The interface works by the use of hundreds of tiny gold connections attached to the monkeys brain that produce signals that are then interpreted by the program to create commands for the software. Conventional attempts only last a short time before they start to have problems and have a risk of giving the patient an infection. This current technology has been in testing and recording the monkeys brain signals for the past 7 years now. The researchers are currently developing another model that can support 1000 channels of information compared to the 512 currently used. The technology is still being further tested and developed, but it's hoped that this could soon be moved to the clinical trials. The benefit this would bring to handicapped individuals would be unparalleled and could help change the way we address current challenges today.