Intelligent neuroprostheses mimic natural motor co
Post# of 22456
Date:
March 30, 2015
Source:
Cognitive Neuroscience Society
Summary:
Neuroscientists are taking inspiration from natural motor control to design new prosthetic devices that can better replace limb function. Researchers have tested a range of brain-controlled devices -- from wheelchairs to robots to advanced limbs -- that work with their users to intelligently perform tasks.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/...214314.htm
Two of the biggest challenges for neuroprosthetics are finding new physical interfaces in addition to EEG that can operate permanently and over long periods of time, as well as providing rich sensory feedback. "This sensory information will make users feel the neuroprosthesis and the environment, what is essential to promote user's agency and ownership of the prosthesis," Millán says.
"The third major challenge is the one at the core of cognitive neuroscience: We must decode and integrate in the prosthetic control loop information about perceptual cognitive processes of the user that are crucial for volitional interaction," he says. These processes include awareness to errors made by the device, anticipation of critical decision points, and lapses of attention.
"Future neuroprostheses -- robots and exoskeletons controlled via a BCI -- will be tightly coupled with the user in such a way that the resulting system can replace and restore impaired limb functions because it will be controlled by the same neural signals as their natural counterparts," Millán says. "This is no longer science fiction; the questions now are which are the key components to guarantee reliability and long-term operation of neuroprostheses, and when they will part of the clinical portfolio available to motor-disabled people."