New technology allows monkeys to drive robotic wheelchairs with thoughts

Researchers have developed a brain-machine-interface (BMI) which allows monkeys to use only their thoughts to navigate a robotic wheelchair, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports.

The wireless BMI, developed by a team of researchers at the Duke University, uses signals from hundreds of neurons recorded simultaneously in two regions of the monkeys' brains that are involved in movement and sensation, according to the study.

As the animals think about moving toward their goal -- in this case, a bowl containing fresh grapes -- computers translate their brain activity into real-time operation of the wheelchair.

BMIs have previously been developed which allow primates to use cortical activity to control artificial limbs. However, it is unknown if recordings from cortical implants in the brain could be translated into whole-body movements.

The latest results suggest that BMIs similar to this one may be able to help restore mobility to severely paralyzed patients in the future.

"In some severely disabled people, even blinking is not possible," said Miguel Nicolelis, co-director for the Duke Center for Neuroengineering and one of the authors of the study.

"For them, using a wheelchair or device controlled by noninvasive measures like an EEG (a device that monitors brain waves through electrodes on the scalp) may not be sufficient. We show clearly that if you have intracranial implants, you get better control of a wheelchair than with noninvasive devices," said Nicolelis.

The team now hopes to expand the experiment by recording more neuronal signals to continue to increase the accuracy and fidelity of the primate BMI before seeking trials for an implanted device in humans, according to Nicolelis. Endit