A cyber prosthesis is a functioning limb that interacts with the body. Cyborg people control the prosthesis with the power of thought, through the neural interface , using nerve impulses and muscles. Such gadgets are created at the intersection of neurophysiology , medicine, robotics and programming . The cybernetic prosthesis is responsive thanks to muscle impulse sensors and artificial intelligence that adapts the limb to movements in typical situations. The electrodes read electrical signals from the brain, which are then converted into commands.
In the industrial design studio KLONA they will develop a cyber prosthesis, the movements of which are natural , while it is easy to control such a gadget. By what means can this be achieved?
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Neural interface for cyber prostheses
Cyber prostheses use human neurophysical anatomy, and sensors-chips are implanted to create a complete organism.
A neural interface is a technology for exchanging information between the brain and a computer based on the registration of brain biopotentials . A unidirectional neural interface either receives signals from the brain or sends them, while a bidirectional one does it simultaneously .
The neural interface allows a person to interact with the outside world based on the registration of the electrical activity of the brain – an electroencephalogram ( EEG ). Brain impulses are converted into a signal understandable to a computer.
In cyber prostheses, automation based on electronics and calculations is corrected by impulses coming from the brain .
How to measure brain signals to control a cyber prosthesis : 3 methods
Consider the methods of registration and decoding of electrical signals.
non-invasive
The sensors are placed on the head. They measure the electrical potentials created by the brain and the magnetic field .
The sensors are connected to a processor device that deciphers the biopotentials and then transmits commands to the actuators.
Plus: an electroencephalogram is taken directly from the surface of the head, without pain. It’s practical and cheap.
Minus the non-invasive method: the signal will reflect the activity of many nerve cells. Decryption will not provide information that allows you to fine-tune control of the cyberprosthesis.
semi-invasive
The electrodes are placed on the surface of the brain, which is open.
Minus the semi-invasive method: a neurosurgical operation is required.
invasive
Microelectrodes are placed in the cerebral cortex . They record the activity of one neuron .
The implanted electrodes , together with an algorithm that decodes the activity of neurons, allow you to control the cyberprosthesis with the power of thought.
Elon Musk plans to produce robotic cyber prostheses, based on the experience of creating androids and chips that are implanted in the brain.
Tiny processors are connected to the brain through the thinnest threads . Sensors will be located on the surface of the skull and transmit information to a computer located behind the ear.
It is planned that the external receiver will communicate with the built-in chip wirelessly and then connect to applications .
The main goal of Neuralink is to create a neural interface without the risk of rejection by the body, which will capture brain activity and process signals. Its implantation will be simple and painless , like laser vision correction surgery.
Neuralink: Neural Interfaces
How the neural interface of a cyberprosthesis works
Regardless of the location of the electrodes, the mechanism of operation of the brain-computer interface is the same:
- electrodes measure minute voltage differences between neurons;
- the signal is amplified and filtered;
- the amplified and filtered signal is interpreted by a computer program.
Thus, a person interacts with the outside world on the basis of recording the electrical activity of the brain – an electroencephalogram ( EEG ). The intention to perform some of the actions changes the EEG , and the computer captures and deciphers the changes.
The simplest desires of a person, for example, to turn left or right, move forward or backward, raise or lower the hand, are converted into signals that switch the modes of activity of the cyberprosthesis. A person regulates them on the go, with mental commands, without additional control panels .
Design of neural interfaces
The process involves programming and configuring the devices that control the prostheses by interpreting the electrical signals from biological neurons.
How is it implemented? First, a person mentally reproduces movements several times, and the brain reacts to them with electrical activity . Algorithmic systems capable of pattern recognition map these intentions to EEG changes and then store them.
The development takes into account the physiology and psychology of a particular user. When a person wants to change the mode of movement, the algorithms will determine the signs of intention, and then issue commands to switch the automation of the prosthesis to the desired mode . This is how the artificial limb adapts to movements in typical situations.
How does a cyber prosthesis work?
The transformed limbs of the cyborg give him limitless potential in life and combat. The actions of such a gadget are completely automated. The owner of the prosthesis only needs to think about some movement, for example, raising a glass, and the bionic hand will obediently complete the task.
The automatic control mechanism is built into cybernetic prostheses. In this way, cyber prostheses differ from mechanical ones , in which a person moves a limb with the efforts of the remaining muscles . When you move your cyber leg while walking, you do not calculate the angle of knee flexion during the step – it happens automatically .
The cyber prosthesis has motors and a battery , in fact it is a leg that walks on its own , or an arm that lifts itself.
The prosthesis is tightly attached to the stump, so when walking, less effort is applied, and the movements become more natural .
Chip: the pace and width of the step, as well as other movement parameters, are adjusted for a specific person .
Development of the cyber prosthesis design concept
A cyber prosthesis is a gadget that compensates for the weight of a missing limb and helps train muscles without allowing them to atrophy . The task of cyberprosthetics is to replace limbs as naturally as possible.
What cyber prostheses can do : 5 advanced features
Cyber prostheses allow people who have lost limbs to live a full life. They are battery powered and have a board and programmable drivers inside. The prosthesis expands the possibilities of a person in the eyes of other people and their own.
What are the best models capable of?
| 1. Motor function | Playing complex movements Response to nerve impulses Development of fine motor skills |
| 2. Capacity building | Enhanced strength and agility Capturing objects with different strengths |
| 3. Realistic appearance | Comfort and confidence |
| 4. Feedback | A person feels pressure and temperature through the limb prosthesis |
| 5. Integration with the body | Smooth connection between cyber prosthesis and nervous system |
Chip: different types of prostheses in one person.
Futuristic option – in order to attract attention and emphasize its peculiarity.
Cosmetic – to rest from attention.
Cyberprosthetic hand
Life with a cyber prosthesis
With the help of built-in additional gadgets, people pay for purchases by swiping their hand over the terminal, as well as track time and activity by looking at my watch. In addition, hand grip and grip strength can be adjusted .
The design of the cyborg arm emphasizes fine motor skills .
Users of the best models can:
- thread a needle;
- paint nails;
- write ;
- ride a bike ;
- work on machines .
First cyber prosthesis
See also: Bionic prosthetic hand: industrial design for a fulfilling life
Principle of operation: the electrodes intercept the nerve impulses of the stump, then transmit them to the computer , which is built into the forearm. The computer gives a command to six motors, and they begin to move the shoulder, elbow and hand of the device synchronously.
Hand sensors will help the wearer measure pressure and fine-tune the grip . Such a prototype is developed for a specific person.
Unusual models of cyber prostheses
Motors are built into the artificial hand that control the fingers. Modes of cybernetic hands are switched through the brain , with the help of neural interfaces . This is their difference from prostheses controlled by the muscles of the stump.
The cyber-arm is controlled not by the muscles of the stump, but by the brain . A microchip is implanted in the brain, registers signals coming from neurons , and then transmits them to an artificial limb.
Chip : the movements are so accurate that you can play musical instruments .
Work is underway on the feedback of the cybernetic hand so that it not only receives brain signals, but also transmits tactile sensations.
Special pressure sensors embedded in the fingertips allow the cybernetic hand to measure the force of pressure or squeezing on an object. These signals are then transmitted to the human brain as vibro-tactile stimulation.
The sensor gives prosthetic hands a sense of touch . For example, the SynTouch Biotac sensor can detect temperature , pressure , and vibration just like a human fingertip. It is equipped with artificial fingerprints to enhance the sensitivity.
The trick: Sensors can tell the difference between materials better than blindfolded people because they use 15 factors to evaluate a material: smoothness , friction, and thermal properties.
The control signal is transmitted to the pads of the bionic fingers using an electrode connected to the nervous system. Tactile communication is implemented by transmitting a signal from a cyberprosthesis back to the nervous system.
Feature: fine motor skills , a person controls each finger and “feels” it. The cyber arm has 9 degrees of freedom, weight 740 g . All manual drives are located inside , so there are no problems with the transmission. The servomotors are equipped with a precision gear with encoders for precise positioning .
Cyberprosthetic leg
Designing prosthetic legs differs from designing arms in that the mechanics are simpler , there is no fine motor skills, and the emphasis is on proper loading and kinematics .
See also: Why bionic leg prostheses are more interesting than mechanical ones: industrial design
From an engineering point of view, cyberprosthetic legs are easier to create because there is no need to mimic the exact movements of the fingers . The difficulty is different: effective depreciation is required, otherwise, when walking fast , a person will stagger a lot.
This is a cyber leg created at the American Vanderbilt University. Many sensors determine the position of the leg in space, and many motors begin to move artificial joints in response, so a person easily sits down and rises . Such a cyberprosthetic leg weighs 4 kg . The charge is enough for half a week in quiet mode, or for an intensive walk of 10.5 km .
Chip: the muscle drive runs on monopropellant , as it is more powerful and weighs less than an electric motor .
The Power Foot, a cyberprosthesis that mimics the pressure of a leg, was created by MIT professor Hugh Herr. Herr leads biomechatronics research and develops wearable robotics himself . His opinion is that the concept of disability is becoming obsolete as the line between humans and robots blurs .
The professor develops designs that integrate with neural networks . He analyzes human movement, studies how electronic devices interact with the nervous system through a neural interface, and also uses living muscles to activate them.
Herr and his team have developed functional and comfortable prostheses that respond to subtle commands from neurons . For example, an artificial knee that adapts to a person’s gait
Let’s summarize
Cybernetic prostheses are hybrids of mind and electronics that control the signals coming from the brain with a high level of transmission. We are working to ensure that the control of the prosthesis is intuitive , and the gadget feels like its own body.
Order a cyber prosthesis from the KLONA industrial design studio, and we will design a reliable electronic device that will bring your idea to life. Our developers will provide a comfortable fusion of a person and a prosthesis, as a result, a cybernetic limb will respond to brain signals at the same speed as a living one .
