New World Associates (left-hand image); Biomechatronics Development Laboratory, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (right-hand image); Otto Bock Healthcare Products; Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Ok...so it's not quite the "Terminator" just yet...but we all remember that amazing scene in T2 when Arnie peels back the skin on his forearm revealing an intricate network of robotic electronics right?? ... well read on!...
This bionic arm really does take a step closer to integrating man and machine. Using sensors implanted in the shoulder muscle which process electric signals from the brain into mind-controlled limb movement, this arm will enable the user the best capabilities offered by a prosthetic limb yet.
Rajeev Doshi/Medi-Mation; New World Associates; Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
The technology boasts an immense improvement in joint manipulation and user-controlled motion, with fingers which can grip firmly, touch delicately, and sense temperature. Linked directly to the brain, the user can manipulate the arm (and its' appendages) with the same subconscious effort required by regular organic limb movement.
New World Associates; Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
The challenge of brain-regulated artificial limb manipulation is diminishing, however there still remains the issue of fitting the electronics and robotics into the space and shape of a realistic looking prosthetic arm. Work is underway to shrink the size of components and decrease the weight of the limb so as to make it as near to the real thing as possible.
Otto Bock Healthcare Products; Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Original post by Bjorn Carey and Michael Belfiore on www.popsci.com
DKODAS "TWISTED AD OF THE FUTURE":
"Pimp" your Bionics!
Here at BlingoniX we offer a pimping range of prosthetic limb upgrade services.
Boost it with a fully integrated media centre, sporting a sub-cutaneous flat screen display and sensor-transmitted audio.
Download movies and music, browse the web and compose emails using voice recognition software and wireless web connection.
With a memory upgrade of 2 terabytes you really should make use of the HI-Def pin-size camera located in the palm of your (bionic) hand to record home movies.
Why not show your movies to your friends? With the Mini-Pro HI-Def projector located just above your palm camera you can display your movies, or your downloads, anywhere you like!!
Fed up of your credit cards? Install a fingertip Chip-and-Pin panel and you can leave your wallet at home!
Ladies?!!! Tired of nail polish remover? Upgrade with our Nail-Tron package and you can have whatever colour or design you like whenever you want it. Using bionic pigment chromatophor controls, you can pick any colour in any tone! You can even upload a design to your on-board memory drive and the Nail-Tron processor will format it to fit your nail! Got 5 kids? Why not put their pictures on your nails to show your friends?
Other Upgrade services include:
Self-Defense Pro Package
Sun-sensitive Tanning
Home automation control
Wrist-Integrated Telephonics
Wanna hear more about "BlingoniX"? Leave a comment!