Huge Leap Forward In Robotic Limb Replacement 153
BlueshiftVFX sends us to Wired for some video of the impressive, mind-controlled prosthetic robot arm invented by Dean Kamen. "Kamen's arm, dubbed 'Luke' (after Skywalker, I assume), is an incredibly sophisticated bit of engineering that's lightyears ahead of the clamping 'claws' that many amputees are forced to use today. The arm is fully articulated, giving the user the same degrees of movement as a natural arm, and is sensitive enough to pick up a piece of paper, a wineglass, or even a grape without mishap."
Human Rights Management (Score:3, Interesting)
Why stop at "human like" articulation? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re::-( Insurance (Score:5, Interesting)
And are you saying he has triple coverage through three different companies?
Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? (Score:5, Interesting)
Control of real limbs? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re::-( Insurance (Score:5, Interesting)
Mecha on the moon (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? (Score:4, Interesting)
But honestly? If I'm getting an artificial body part I want an upgrade. Artificial arms need "Inspector Gadget" type tools built into them. artificial legs need built-in roller blades or "kangaroo boot" springs. Artificial eyes need video-in jacks, zoom and swappable IR vision filters.
I'm not sure I'd have a perfectly good body part removed for one - especially at this stage in tech - but if anything happens and I'm getting it anyway...
=Smidge=
Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? (Score:4, Interesting)
But, more to the point, I think they ought to focus on the basics before adding on extra fingers and elbows
Notice that we don't see this chasm in older baby-boomers. I think that means we won't see another gaping technology chasm between generations. The computers are here now and brains are adapting to them. Other threads on slashdot have discussed the idea that computer programs become mental extensions just as tools become extensions of people's bodies. Stories of ancient knights speak of warriors fighting until they could not tell their arms from their swords.
So I'd bet that using that "mental extension into the tool" effect you really could find ways to add on novel new cybernetic body-parts and that the brains of mammals are actually adaptive enough to deal with it. I think this will be true because of the structure of mammal brains and its ability to re-wire itself.
After all don't you wince when you hit something in your car? Some people even exclaim "ouch" as if they were themselves hurt. I suspect it's an artifact of being able to use tools that enables us to tack on a tool as a "temporary body part"
Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? (Score:2, Interesting)
Quote taken from: http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0001459/quotes [imdb.com]
Capt. Picard: Data, I understand your objections. But I have to consider Star Fleet's interests. What if Commander Maddox is correct - there is a possibility that many more beings like yourself can be constructed?
Lt. Commander Data: Sir, Lieutenant La Forge's eyes are far superior to human biological eyes, true?
Capt. Picard: Mm-hmm.
Lt. Commander Data: Then why are not all human officers required to have their eyes replaced with cybernetic implants?
[Picard considers this, pauses, then looks away from Data]
Lt. Commander Data: I see. It is precisely because I am *not* human.
Re:More appropriate headline (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? (Score:3, Interesting)
If anything, I think that concentrating on either exoskeletons (as has been reported in recent articles) or maybe on strengthening the body itself with implants would be much more productive and useful. Maybe there would be a way to augment the body's muscles to make them stronger, for example. However, I doubt this will happen anytime soon.
pattipace7@yahoo.com (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Speaking as a luddite... (Score:2, Interesting)
Seriously, this thing is amazing. Now all we need is a brain replacement for about 50% of the people who respond with off topic or plainly ridiculous statements in their posts on/to slashdot!
Maybe news for turds is more apt in a fair percentage of cases?!
Re::-( Insurance (Score:5, Interesting)
The most he ever received from the VA was a limb with a hook on the end. The three insurance carriers are from his three different employers from then until now.
What makes you think his insurance carriers are not responsible for a pre-existing condition when his prosthetic needs replaced or is damaged? Sure they replace it, but not with anything worth a damn.
Re:Why stop at "human like" articulation? (Score:2, Interesting)
The human arm is an absolute marvel of engineering. The number of degrees of freedom, the range of motion, the sensitivity of its sensors, the amount of control it has are phenomenal. When you build an arm that can beat a human arm that I can afford to replace when it wears out (mine repairs itself), please let me know.
Otherwise I'm in the market for another pair of arms tied to a lower body exoskeleton capable of lifting a couple thousand pounds.