Game helps paralyzed man walk again
June 5th, 2008 by Mylo
In an experiment taking place at Japan’s Keio University heralded as a world first, the man donned headgear which sensed brainwaves relating to his arms and legs. Just by imagining he was moving his limbs again, he was able to “walk” a character around Second Life, a popular virtual world.
Sound a little gimmicky? Not so fast. Although it’ll never replace the mouse and keyboard for able-bodied folks, the team hopes to use the system to help stave off depression in immobilized patients — no doubt a common problem.
Next up for the Japanese team is a system to allow patients to create text messages by mentally selecting letters. Cellphones may never be the same again.
- Posted in Technology