Brain–computer interface allows paralyzed man to walk again
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.029230
New Scientist : People who have been paralyzed due to spinal cord injury may one day be able to walk again simply by thinking about it. Researchers have developed an external device that uses an algorithm to measure a patient’s brain activity and translate it into electrical signals to activate nerves in the paralyzed limbs. Their brain–computer interface has been successfully tested on a 26-year-old man paralyzed in both legs. First he underwent a training period to learn to turn the device on and off with 99% accuracy and then physical therapy to strengthen his leg muscles. With practice, he learned to walk a 3.6-m course. The researchers say that because of the cumbersomeness of the external device, they plan to work next on developing a fully implantable one.
