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Sep 19, 2010

Human Fiber Optics Could Give Senses to Artificial Limbs

DARPA, working with the Southern Methodist University Neurophotonics Research Center, is currently developing a system of wild new fiber optics that could give a sense of pressure and feeling to artificial limbs.

Aside from the obvious benefits that a future amputee victim might experience, the implants could also curb tremors, manage pain or treat spinal cord injuries—just to name a few.

Beyond that, DARPA (and SMU) has once again has found a way to blend the present with what was once science fiction:

"Science fiction writers have long imagined the day when the understanding and intuition of the human brain could be enhanced by the lightning speed of computing technologies. With this remarkable research initiative, we are truly beginning a journey into the future that will provide immeasurable benefits to humanity." - Dean Osark, SMU Lyle School of Engineering.

54 comments:

Biff Tanner said...

That's freaking awesome.

Mantooth said...

Holy shit. This almost makes me want to lose a limb just to experience feeling in a fake one.

J Mo said...

this would be amazing!

niceonice said...

that's amazing. this could help so many people

Katie Greene said...

mind equals blown

down2brasstax said...

wow. hooray for science

Jim said...

Hmmm, what will be left for science fiction writers once we achieve interstellar travel?

ColoringWithKrylon said...

Why would you want sensation in an artificial limb? That's one of the benefits. Oven mitts become a thing of the past.

A musician and gamer said...

that be soooo boss

Autumn said...

Wow, and here I was thinking spray on clothing was amazing.

Jimmy Volmer said...

thanks for the inspiration!

chasityxo said...

that would be amazing!

Commsky said...

Star wars status

David Davidson said...

This is absolutely wonderful for medical technology.

Can't wait to see this get implemented.

Evan said...

Well... if I had a liumb cut off for any reason at least now I know that I will still be able to feel things.

Anonymous said...

I've seen something like this about a person loosing an eye and having some amazing fiber optics put into a fake one, It made me want to lose an eye just to get that, lmao. Science is crazy.


Much love and a lil currency support going your way bro

The Loon said...

ESCAPE VELOCITY.

4-Eva! said...

nice...SCIENCE!

Joshua la Joshua said...

that's fucking amazing. i'm gunna go blow my hand off right now so i can be a part of this

Sethisto said...

It's about time..

Now where are my synthetic wings and heat vision?

Splash87 said...

So be the power of SCIENCE!

Discerning Gentleman said...

your post moved me...

Tetru Eunor said...

Interesting!

DailyDose said...

Crazyness

- Enfermo - said...

very cool post

Saveit said...

I love it when technology can be used to help put injured ppl back together again.
I always have to stop by and check your blog.

MellowCoke said...

I cannot wait for the day when we can be cyborgs.

Alex said...

Dude that's intense! Awesome post! I love reading about this stuff so keep up the good work!

Light Weight Baby! said...

Good ideas here

Lucas Nowel said...

freakin' awesome.

Naj said...

now that would be a good news to amputees. they only need to lower the price of this so that everyone can afford it.

Nerd Life said...

very interesting indeed!

Unknown said...

Soup-port!

http://desktop.noisediary.com

UnseenSniper said...

That's pretty sweet!

Bloguero Amado Nervo said...

Very Cool!
All those medicine facts are interesting.

I'll follow your blog

You can check mine if you want ;)

Skunkfunk said...

Whoa, science's done it again

Sweeeeeetas said...

This would do wonders to AI!!!

applecider said...

this can really help some poor kids who were born with missing limbs

Saryn said...

And so the beginning of the cyborg wars was sparked.

Skutt Panda PO said...

look like salamy :)))

Skutt Panda PO said...

look like salamy :)))

Michele said...

Very interesting!

Pulled a Mussel said...

Holy shiteeeeeee

Anonymous said...

awsome post mate. Cool read. spp

Mister Sharaf said...

im scared of future :S

Stav88os said...

Interesting..

Support and Follow u! :)

remzi said...

Cool

Barnacle said...

Wow, now THERE is my dreamjob!

Viperman said...

tech sure has come a long way huh

2Beer1Sip said...

great topic, i was a few years ago in the largest fiber optics factory of europe in nordenham

RiverKnyle said...

Woah, woah woah. Hold the phone. Feeling? In a dead arm? Have I entered some sort of crazy parallel universe?

Anonymous said...

This looks very interesting.

Oni said...

sign me up for cyborg!

Sygnus said...

It's MAGICAL SCIENCE.
I'm so cutting my arm off.