Brain Implant Allows Man to Control Robotic Arm with Thought.

Erik Sorto lifted a drink to his mouth using his brain-controlled robotic arm

A man in California, USA, who has been paralysed from the neck down has had a chip implanted in his brain that allows him to control a robotic arm with his mind alone.

Erik Sorto, has been paralysed for over 10 years after he was shot at the age of 21,. He signed up to a clinical trial that involved having a pair of sensors implanted into a part of his brain known as the posterior parietal cortex, which is where the initial intent to make a movement is formed.

The sensors monitor the brain activity and detect complex bursts of electrical signals. The signals are then carried from the patient's brain to a computer, where they are translated into an instruction for a robotic limb.

According to the California Institute of Technology researchers, Mr Sorto learnt to control his robotic limb on the first day he tried. He was able to reach out his arm and shake hands with another person.
Over time, Eric Sorto has also leant to lift a drink to his mouth, and also control a cursor on a computer screen.