Chinese researchers claim monkey brain advance after moving robotic arm with its mind
- A team of scientists say they allowed a monkey to move the external device using electrical signals from the brain using a non-invasive technique
- Researchers around the world are working on the use of similar technology, which could help improve the lives of people with severe disabilities
A team of Chinese researchers claim to have successfully conducted an experiment that allowed a monkey to move a robotic arm using its mind.
They said the experiment marked a significant advance in brain science and could pave the way for further developments that could help people with physical disabilities to interact with external devices and improve their quality of life.
The research has not been peer-reviewed and the claims – which cannot be verified independently – appeared in a statement on the university’s website.
The team said they used brain-computer interface technology, which is a way for humans to control computers or external devices using their brain’s electrical signals.
During the experiment on Thursday, the monkey was held in place in a container and could catch food by commanding the robotic arm.
It works by using sensors that detect and capture brain activity and then convert those signals into commands that can control an external device, such as a computer cursor or a robotic arm.