Mind controlled robot for paraplegics

[redpaintednavi]

A new robot gives hope to disabled:

Avatar becomes reality: Hi-tech head cap lets disabled man 'move' a robot slave 60 miles away using just his brain power

Disabled people could one day be waited on hand and foot by a robot servant - or even send out the robot into society in their place.

It sounds like the plot of James Cameron's sci-fi hit Avatar, but Swiss scientists showed off today how a partially paralyzed person can control a robot by thought alone.
Simply by thinking about lifting his fingers, a patient was able to 'move' a robot 100 miles away.

Mind-controlled robot for paraplegics unveiled: Avatar becomes reality | Mail Online

[Clarke]

This is just basic teleprescense. We've had it for a while.

[redpaintednavi]

The real interesting things in this field will probably start when the robots can give feedback to its users not only in form of visual and audio but also in form of sensory input, smell and even taste. Then the user can really be a part of the robots experience.

[Human No More]

This isn't particularly new. Kevin Warwick did this years ago

[redpaintednavi]

Yes, his reserach is interesting.

With a feedback of the full scope of sensory input one can experience the world truough the robot. Next step is organic avatars like in the movie.

Also similar techniques could be used to create a network between people where they can exchange information, thoughts and feelings with each other.

In Science Fiction among others Peter Hamilton have explored some of the possibilities such a technique can give you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edenism

http://nightsdawn.wikia.com/wiki/Affinity

http://nightsdawn.wikia.com/wiki/Neural_nanonics

[Moco Loco]

Originally Posted by redpaintednavi

Next step is organic avatars like in the movie.

Quite a big step

[Clarke]

Also, slightly overkill unless you want to blend in.

[Human No More]

There's no reason robots can't blend in eventually either.

[Clarke]

Once you've got robots advanced enough to cover most of the giveaways, you've probably invented something similar to biology anyway.

[Human No More]

Alternatively, nobody will look twice at a robot because they walked past 5 of them that morning.