Man Moves Robotic Hand Using his Mind

posted on Jul 23 by Amelia in the Disability News, Technology category

Using only his mind, Pierpaolo Petruzziello is able to move a robotic hand.  Electrodes implanted into his forearm that are connected to his nervous system make this feat possible.

In 2006, Pierpaolo had a car accident due to a drunk driver.  He lost his left hand and forearm in the accident.  Pierpaolo’s father sought hope for his son and found the robotic hand project.

After undergoing many tests, he joined the Life Hand Project, a 5 year project funded by the European Union.  He underwent surgery to attach electrodes to his existing forearm.  These electrodes helped him recognize and manipulate the biomedical hand.  The doctors would send him stimuli, and he learned how to control the hand through trial and error of the different movements.

Closing his eyes and focusing, he was able to make the hand start to move.  It took a lot of concentration as he envisioned the hand being attached to himself.  He repeated to himself that his hand does exist, that he can move it, and to just clench his fingers….  then looking up he noticed that it was indeed moving the robotic hand in an intelligent fashion.

In fact, in all prior attempts to manipulate a robotic hand, no one has been able to create such precise movements using only their mind.

“When I succeeded at closing the hand, I felt like I scored a goal at the last minute.  It was a such an important moment.  The researchers looked at me, and I understood that we made it.  I haven’t done all of this just for myself.  I lost a hand, but there are people who have lost more and are suffering.  I felt like I was helping science, and for this reason I never gave up.  I’m happy now.” says Pierpaolo Petrizziello.

The next challenge is to connect a prosthetic limb for years, not just one month.  For his efforts, Pierpaolo is guaranteed one of those limbs.

Watch the complete story of the man who moves a robotic hand using his mind below: