http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070724/ap_on_sc/bionic_hand It has begun. The era of cyborgs in the REAL world. Quite frankly, this has gotten me utterly excited. Who knows how long it will be before full body cybornetics will be implemented, like the Strogg in the Quake series?
That actually sort of creeped me out. The cool thing is, they could make it look like a real hand if they wanted to.
the name of the device implies that I can sync it with iTunes. Still, this is awesome. I've seen plenty of leg amputees return to active duty, but they generally discharge the arm and hand amputees. This is another step towards giving those that want to return a REAL chance to return.
On the manufacturer's website linked in the article, there's pictures of people with "gloves" on their prostheses that simulate skin, right down to forearm hair and fingernails. Looks a little awkward but not instantly terrifying.
Now he can hold his sister's hand and watch the Millenium Falcon fly off into the Andromeda Galaxy! WHAT A PRETTY ENDING!
That's the thing about the Uncanny Valley. When something looks completely human, but moves mechanically, it's creepier than something that looks obviously mechanical. That's the reason Japanese roboticists don't give their robots human faces.
Yeah, but the actroid has an uncannily human face. As a matter of fact, the actroid is really awkwardly close to jumping the uncanny valley. If it could walk, I think I'd be both amazed and terrified.
This is great. God forbid a brave soldier loses a limb, there's a chance they can "restore" them in a sense. It's a shame that this man lost his arm, but at least he's got this, and he seems excited about it.
Neat. I always like to hear about stuff like this, and there is a very selfish part of me that wants to somehow be able to add extra arms.
I think they'd be better off trying not to make it look human. Let the cyborg (that's kinda what he is now, and that's cool as long as he doesn't start saying "We are Borg") pick a color to paint it - black, silver....
That is fantastic. I'm kinda surprised they managed it with myoelectrics alone. Will be fascinating to see how this progress's. I think i've found some people to be sending my CV too, hehe...
Hehe, I think he should play it safe and not use the bionic hand for the "deed". Who knows, it could malfunction, and he could end up trying to explain to the doctor how he crushed or pulled his penis out just by "peeing"… On a serious note though, I'm happy to see such brilliant breakthrough.
