First human robotic arm implant

Nicolelis currently runs the neuroscience laboratory at Duke University, which is considered the largest neuroscience laboratory in the world. He is also the University’s Neurobiology and Biomedical Engineering chair, and joint director of the Neuroengineering Centre.

Nicolelis, professor of neurobiology medical engineering and psychological and brain sciences and co-director of the Center for Neuroengineering, was recently named one of the 50 top scientists in the world by Scientific American.

The magazine cited him for his work to enablethe brain waves of monkeys to control a robotic arm. The research may be a significant breakthrough in the search for better robotic devices to help people with paralyzed limbs. The work portends a day when disabled humans may be able to manipulate things merely with their thoughts.

Nicolelis has long been regarded as the most likely scientist in the world to develop the technologies for such a procedure.

Further Reading:

Duke Engineers Developing Technology Underlying Brain-Machine Interfaces

Human Studies Show Feasibility of Brain-Machine Interfaces

Monkeys Adapt Robot Arm as Their Own

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