man with "AI bridge" walks again

[everything]

https://news.sky.com/story/ai-is-the-ke ... n-12888291

TLDR: implant on his brain relays signals to "AI" computer that relays signals to another implant at his lower spinal cord to send signals to his legs. is this the first human/AI "cyborg"/bionic man? maybe.

AI is the key to astonishing breakthrough that allowed paralysed man to walk again
A scientific breakthrough has allowed a paralysed man to walk again after communication was re-established between his brain and spinal cord thanks to a wireless "digital bridge".


Thomas Moore
Science correspondent @SkyNewsThomas

Wednesday 24 May 2023 20:11, UK

Paralysed man walks again thanks to 'digital bridge technology' that reconnects brain and spinal cord1:32

A man, paralysed in a cycling accident 10 years ago, is now able to walk again because of a wireless digital link between his brain and spinal cord.

The video of Gert-Jan Oskam standing, walking and even climbing stairs is remarkable.

Yes, he drags his feet slightly. Yes, his movements are slow.

But he is in control. It is his thoughts, his intent to walk, that is being turned into action.

It's liberating for him. Not just because he can move his legs.

He says he can now choose to stand up from his wheelchair to have a beer with his friends at the bar. Don't underestimate the psychological importance of looking people in the eye, at their level.

It's all possible because of a brain computer interface.

Implants resting on the brain, just above the movement control centre, relay nerve signals to a computer that uses artificial intelligence to pick out the ones that matter and decode the intent.

Instructions are then sent wirelessly to a second implant in the spinal cord of the lower back, bridging the severely damaged nerves in Mr Oskam's neck.

[Steve James]

It's inevitable. Hey, Musk just got the Neurolink approved by the FDA for testing. So, my syfy-imagination suggests that at some point some humans will be cyber-controlled. Or, a human brain will be linked to a mechanical AI-controlled "body."

[everything]

not really sure the "computer" in this guy is "AI" or its pre-requisite "machine learning" (kind of a bad pun in this case), but yeah. at least from a tech pov, it seems things will keep going this way

[Steve James]

Well, for an amputee, I'd say that in order to have artificial legs that work anything like the original equipment, it'll take some sort of AI -that will have to learn because every individual is different. It can't (imho) be a program. I think amputees will always want that, so I'd say it's inevitable that'll be the goal. That's just legs, and achieving normality. Yep, six-million dollar man stuff, though that's also more about physical enhancement. Then, there's the T-800s.

[windwalker]

The approach used quite interesting in the differences between the Chinese and the US..
The Chinese from what I've been reading and watching prefer some type of outer interface rather then an implant as
in the US...

if it was me, I'd prefer an outer interface....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuLRBcW8DsY

side note: recently a long time family friend at 57yrs of age, just about to retire

Fell down late at night " maybe drinking to much" in falling he broke his neck, found by someone some 6hrs later.
He now paralyzed in both arms, can talk and see, mind seems ok...and eventually will re-learn walking..

For those among us, older hope one is careful in life will still living it.. Enjoy, appreciate, what you have.....so easy to lose it..

For those having similar problems, hopefully, technology instead of being used for "war" will be directed to aid and help people live life...

[everything]

Oof hope he is a lot better very quickly. Just normal every day steps (even not drinking) can be quite dangerous.

[Steve James]

Hopefully, these developments may help a lot people.