"Manhattan Project" For Prosthetic Arms

cortex tips us to a story about a nationwide effort to incorporate advanced technology into the next generation of prosthetic arms. Researchers for the DARPA-funded project are developing feedback techniques that range from sensors on the surface of the user's skin to electrodes implanted on the inside of the user's skull that intercept and interpret signals from the motor cortex. Quoting: "'Think about taking a sip from a can of soda,' Harshbarger says. The complex neural feedback system connecting a native limb to its user lets that user ignore an entire series of complicated steps. The nervous system makes constant automatic adjustments to ensure, for example, that the tilt of the wrist adjusts to compensate for the changing fluid level inside the can. The action requires little to no attention. Not so for the wearer of current prosthetic arms, for whom the act of taking a sip of soda precludes any other activity. The wearer must first consciously direct the arm to extend it to the correct point in space, then switch modes to rotate the wrist into proper position. Then he must open the hand, close it to grasp the soda can (not so weakly as to drop it but not so hard as to crush it), switch modes to bend the elbow to correctly place the can in front of his mouth, rotate the wrist into position, and then concentrate on drinking from the can of soda without spilling it."

Dean Kamen spoke at TED about this

[LakeSolon]

From the summary:

Inventor Dean Kamen previews the extraordinary prosthetic arm he's developing at the request of the Department of Defense, to help the 1,600 "kids" who've come back from Iraq without an arm (and the two dozen who've lost both arms). Kamen's commitment to using technology to solve problems, and his respect for the human spirit, have never been more clear than in this deeply moving clip.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/82 [ted.com]

Re:Dean Kamen spoke at TED about this

[north.coaster]

The online video of Kamen's talk is well worth watching. Dean is a smart guy, but even he didn't think that this was possible at first. Then he saw some of the existing technology and thought about the impact that an advanced prosthetic arm would have on these folks. Now he's one of the people making this happen.

While a prosthetic arm that allows more sensitive touch will have a positive impact on the folks who need this technology, it may also lead to spin offs in other areas. Anyone care to speculate on other uses for this technology?

Re:Hmmm. Dr. Octopus?

[The One and Only]

As time went on, we realized that it was actually weaponry that we were developing (DOD had other intentions based on how they were changing our protocols). As a young man, I thought that it was abhorrent and left the project. Now, as I watch China's military building up, I know that the work that I was doing actually could make a difference. The reason is that Chinese leaders are gearing up for a war. The problem is that they have MANY times the troops levels that we have. The major thing that holds them in check is that they KNOW we have a very high tech advantage. But with their continuing theft of our military secrets and W. having tied us up in Iraq, combined with our monster growing deficits, it is only a matter of time before they are equal to us (from the chinese leaders POV).

The difference you made could have been simply designing more technology to fall into China's hands, too. Look, we know China might get a little anxious about putting down its immediate neighbors, but they won't be going to war with us. In fact, war between the United States and China is nearly impossible, since neither side can afford it. Wars between superpowers across oceans are expensive and protracted by nature, which means a robust economy is required. If China starts a war, they will lose trade with America and with nearly all of Europe as well (due to NATO treaty obligations), leaving them incapable of continuing to fight. We will be hurt too, and a worldwide depression would likely ensue, but China would be crippled.

If the US starts the war or even suffers an attack from China, China could immediately release all its American currency, flooding the world market and causing hyperinflation, which would economically cripple the United States if not the entire world. Again, in the long run, no one will be able to afford continuing the war. On the other hand, were China to do so, they would cripple their own currency as well: even in a shooting war, releasing all their American currency would only be a last-ditch effort to let their own massive army wipe out an American landing, or something similar.

Even setting that aside, China's military means nothing without naval power that rivals our own. The US Navy (with NATO support undoubtedly, particularly from the Royal Navy) could undoubtedly blockade China completely.