Thought-controlled limbs

[Doshii Jun]

Now this is made of some serious win.

 

[Omega724]

 

[Toshiro]

I've been waiting for this, though I have long been thinking of how to go to the next step--sensory data.

Do you think it is possible to get a vector (or a VERY powerful linear) processor that can do massive amounts of matrices into a small environment with some decent cooling, RAM, and high bus width?

I ask because I believe it may be possible to cover such a limb with a sort of "sensory mesh". Now, it isn't technologically or financially feasible at this time to create the number of sensory nodes in the mesh to approach the number of sensory nerves in the human arm, especially the skin, which is what this would emulate. The solution, I believe, is a complex internal computer which would take in all the incoming data in a numeric form (by pressure values), apply it to a matrix of predetermined dimensions (larger dimensions = more sensitive skin areas, lesser dimensions = less sensitive) and calculate the "gaps" in real time.

Example, say 4 nodes detect pressure values of this:

5 7
3 2

A more sensitive area could compute this matrix (though maybe several powers higher):

5 5 5 5 7 7 7 7
5 5 5 5 7 7 7 7
5 5 5 5 7 7 7 7
3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2

While a less sensitive one could work on one like this (which may also be several powers higher, depending):

5 5 7 7
5 5 7 7
3 3 2 2
3 3 2 2

run those in something like Matlab, and you'll see that it changes the values in a manner which may simulate a higher number of sensors, perhaps on the order of several powers, depending on the dimensions of the matrix/sensitivity setting.

Also, it may be possible to computer matricies differently based on the type of matrix detected. For example:

0 0 0 1 0 0 0
0 1 1 2 1 1 0
0 1 2 4 2 1 0
1 2 4 8 4 2 1
0 1 2 4 2 1 0
0 1 1 2 1 1 0
0 0 0 1 0 0 0

or even

0 0 0 0 0
0 0 3 0 0
0 3 9 3 0
0 0 3 0 0
0 0 0 0 0

would indicate being poked by an object which was small and came to a point, like a pencil. The matrix program could look for this type of format (small area, large pressure) to simulate pain, even, if it didn't already.

That's my theory, though...and it would need a heck of a lot of RAM and processing power in a small, non ventilated space...

Of course, there's also the issue of whether or not to go for smaller, more precise matricies with decimals, or larger integer/low decimal matricies. Smaller decimal computations may be better, if the processor has a VERY powerful FPU.

 

[Yangfan]

One thing real research have shown is that, for the time being at least, a mesh of sensors don't represent human perceptions very well.

So matrices = great for computers, not so much for cybernetics.

If it makes you feel better, MM007, your idea has been proposed by quite a few PhDs. (Which resulted in research projects.)

The bionic arm appears to make use tried-and-true mechanics: Stiff joints supported by motors. Eventually, we'll be able to throw in a few sensors to detect movement and rotation (for a total of 6 possible degrees of freedom per joint). The data that the sensors generate can be in raw, analog form, suitable for human consumption. A lot of stuff from robotics gets re-used.

I took a class in haptics, so I have some vague idea of what I'm talking about.

 

[Toshiro]

Well, perhaps the technology will grow by the time the computers needed for such raw power shrink down to such a size.

Still, I'm turprised they didn't try to attach the person's nerves to a mechanical socket of sorts...protected, of course, from water and the like.