69 4b489 Year-Old Man with Paralysis Flies Virtual Drone Using Brain Implant

A paralysed man navigates a virtual drone using neural signals decoded by a brain implant. 32274g

Written by Gadgets 360 Staff | Updated: 22 January 2025 22:00 IST

69-Year-Old Man with Paralysis Flies Virtual Drone Using Brain Implant

Photo Credit: Pexels/cottonbro 163f2z

A man with paralysis controls a virtual drone through neural signals decoded by a brain implant

Highlights

Brain-Computer Interface helps paralysed man control virtual drone
Virtual drone control offers hope for people with paralysis
Study paves the way for advanced BCI applications for mobility

ment

A paralysed individual, aged 69, has successfully piloted a virtual drone using a brain-computer interface (BCI) that interprets neural signals. This innovative achievement has enabled the participant to navigate a video-game obstacle course by imagining specific finger movements. The breakthrough device, which bridges brain activity and real-time control, demonstrates potential applications for assisting those with mobility challenges to engage in intricate tasks. These developments mark significant progress in the application of BCIs for enhancing motor functions.

Breakthrough Detailed in Nature Medicine 4n1m31

According to a Algorithms were trained to decode the brain's signals when he visualised moving his right thumb, different finger pairs, or combinations of them.

The researchers reported that the participant initially practised synchronising imagined movements with a virtual hand displayed on a screen, achieving a high degree of accuracy by hitting up to 76 targets per minute. Subsequently, the signals were connected to the drone's navigation system, allowing him to steer it through a virtual basketball court, manoeuvring rings with precision.

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Expert Insights on Potential Applications 3f332p

Matthew Willsey, a neurosurgeon at the University of Michigan and a co-author of the study, told Nature Medicine that the participant likened the experience to playing a musical instrument, requiring delicate adjustments to maintain control. Willsey noted that the research seeks to enable control of multiple movements simultaneously, potentially assisting activities such as typing or playing musical instruments.

John Downey, a BCI researcher from the University of Chicago, described the work as an important initial step in understanding hand control mechanisms. He highlighted the potential of this technology as a versatile tool for individuals with limited mobility. Researchers aim to enhance the system to decode signals for all ten fingers.

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