How Mind-Controlled Bionic Arms Fuse To The Body | WIRED

A game-changer in prosthetics has been introduced to the world, and for the first time, amputees are regaining sensation through an electrical signal from their prosthetic arm. Max Ortiz-Catalan, a professor of bionics, explains the process of implanting these mind-controlled bionic arms through direct skeletal attachment. The researcher takes us through every step of this groundbreaking advancement in bionic medicine, from surgically implanting electrodes to fitting the prosthesis and training for everyday use.

Director: Lisandro Perez-Rey
Editor: Jordan Calig
Expert: Prof. Max Ortiz Catalan
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Kameryn Hamilton
Production Manager: D. Eric Martinez
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds


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[Mathemusician]

The fact that you can "feel" with a prosthetic limb, even if it's in a lower "resolution" than a biological hand is still amazing to me.

[coleh]

This right here should be news, this is incredible.

[cetomedo]

This right here, is what we call a *_MONUMENTAL_* achievement. Not the prostethic, but that too is obviously a serious achievement and should be applauded, but the connection between nerves and wires. If this becomes popular, which I will personally make popular if it somehow does not, this would absolutely be up there in terms of technological revolution. Not on the level of neolithic or industrial revolutions, granted, but close enough to be comparable.

[cdaack]

$10K for this bionic arm? That’s a BARGAIN, definitely worth the cost.

[chickenitis]

Imagine how it must've felt for the engineers when the patients first confirmed that they can 'feel' (or sense) the object in the prosthetics' fingers, after so much trial and error. My jaw would've dropped to the floor in that room lol

[wolfwarren]

This is the kind of technology I wanted to go into when I was in middle school. Now in college, my direction has changed, but my heart is still in this field. I’m very glad my dreams for this field are being realised. Kudos to you, Doctor, for doing such an amazing job.

[_PsychoFish_]

That feels so Cyberpunky! Love it! I hope everyone that needs a prosthetic limb can get one in the future.

[Eric-ytfp]

This is the kind of breakthrough I dreamt of when I was a kid. I'm so grateful to hear some good news, this technology is going to change lives. And it's only going to get better.

[leah.isabel]

I remember watching Fullmetal Alchemist years ago, a science-fiction fantasy anime where the main character has a prosthetic limb just like this, with electrodes connected inside his body so he can move them. I remember thinking “how amazing would it be if we could do that in real life on day.” I can’t believe that day is today.

[JacklynBurn]

Honestly, as much as a transhumanist as I am (very excited for seeing what the middle bounds of this tech's limits, to say nothing of its upper ones) I really appreciate how Dr. Catalan talks about where he wants his research effort to go. As cool as it is to probe how superhuman we could potentially go with this technology, he's more focused on "what problems in this field have we not yet solved". It seems like he would rather solve a lot of problems to rough biological parity rather than ride one technology to the sci-fi endpoint that a lot of people dream of, and that's admirable.

[cheyguy]

The brilliance of this doctor blows me away. This is truly incredible

[known]

Absolutely mind blowing this technology is advancing so fast. 7 years ago the first brain controlled bionic hand/ arm was extremely experimental ( requiring very specific arm amputation ) and costed over $100, 000. Now in less than a decade the price has dropped to $10, 000 and seemingly anyone can get it.

[HG-gjlh]

This is incredible. I can’t believe it’s not hundreds of thousands of dollars for the arm alone, not even counting the surgeries and therapies to follow. There’s some truly astounding minds in this world to be able to think of this and then figure out how to make it possible.

[inbox]

Idk what's more fascinating this prosthetics of the ability of a bone to regenerate and regrow attaching itself to the titanium prosthetics

[katamas]

Absolutely nuts, fine control of the arm bending and individual finger control WITH some basic touch sensing?? We have actually reached the point where a bionic arm can replace your arm in functionality. Inferior still, but the future developments will be nuts. It's great what you guys are accomplishing for amputees, keep it up!

[mastermavrick]

Insane that we have progress prosthetics to this point. I feel within a generation we'll have Star Wars / Ghost in the Shell type prosthetics. The cost hurts to hear, but really goes to show much we take for granted that our bodies do.

[illens]

When in college 10yr ago I had a wireless EEG (emotive) and no-one in the neuroscience department wanted to team up to analyze the data and help train it - I assume because the tech was new and they didn't understand how accurate it could be. Now it's a whole department at the same college. How fast we move.

[hizballaharham]

This is definitely the video I've been searching for. It explains exactly the significant points required within the bionic arm and the science behind it. Bravo 👏

[justafoon]

This is awesome. Genuinely surprised this hasn't been successfully done like 12 years ago, but it's cool it's happening now. Can't wait for Cyberpunk type implants.

[thesnazzmaster]

Absolutely incredible that this technology has become a reality. I've always wondered why this wasn't done before, considering the brain interfaces with electrical signals. Truly an incredible achivement of neuroscience, computer science, biology, and engineering.