Scientific advances have reestablished communication between the brain and spinal cord thanks to a wireless ‘digital bridge’, allowing a paralyzed man to walk again.
Enter Cyborg.
A man who became paralyzed 10 years ago in a bicycle accident, I can now walk again thanks to a wireless digital link between my brain and spinal cord.
The videos of Gerd-Jan Oskamm standing, walking and even climbing stairs are worth noting.
Yes, he has a slight limp. Yes, he moves slowly.
But he’s in control. His thoughts, his intentions to walk, are put into action.
It’s liberating for him. It’s not just because you can move your legs.
He says he can now choose to get out of his wheelchair to have a beer with friends at a bar. Don’t underestimate the psychological importance of looking people in the eye at their level.
Important role of AI
It’s all possible thanks to the Brain Computer Interface.
Implants located just above the brain’s motor control centers use artificial intelligence to select important signals and relay neural signals to computers that decode intentions.
Commands are then radioed to a second implant in the spinal cord in his lower back, bridging a severely damaged nerve in Mr. Oscam’s neck.
A series of electrical signals then stimulates the leg muscles in the proper sequence to enable walking.
The key here is artificial intelligence.
Over ten years ago, I spent some time in the lab with US researchers. They were trying to decode brain signals from a feeding monkey using a robotic arm controlled by the power of thought.
With hundreds of signals flying across computer screens, it was clear that the challenge was to detect patterns in the data and measure intent.
Swiss researchers solved the problem by carefully training a computer to spot the key signals while Oskamm was thinking about very specific muscle movements.
Innovative technology doesn’t come cheap
This technology has clearly been a game changer for one man.
But now the technology needs to be extended to more people paralyzed by accidents, strokes and other causes.
It’s not cheap, so access is an issue. Will only the wealthy and those receiving insurance benefits benefit?
But that is for the future.
The breakthrough itself is amazing. And the impact on people living with paralysis is immeasurable.
