Over the years, we have been trying to develop products to

help disabled people lead normal lives.  One of the biggest research foci has been to let the paralyzed perform everyday tasks.  The basis for doing so was to develop brain-machine interfaces; products that let one control devices with one’s mind. Heretofore, these units have lacked the “feeling” of motion and movement to the user. 

In a recent issue of Neuroscience, robotic arms were used in conjunction with a sensory interface to see if this improved the use. Dr. Nicholas Hatsopoulos led a small team to test this theory with macaques (monkey) fitted with robotic arms. The monkeys first moved the cursor over the screen using their eyes only; they then tried to do so using the robotic arms.  This second step provide kinesthetic to the monkey;they “felt” the motion and position of the robotic arm and could move the cursor faster and straighter than without the arms (40% improvement in speed and directness).

This technique (exoskeletons) could provide benefits to those who were paralyzed later in life, who have residual “memory” of the limbs sensory information.  People with spinal cord injury, ALS (Lou Gherig’s disease), and similar situations, would be the first beneficiaries.  Up to now, these devices have been confined to movies, books, and the military.  But, the Microsoft Kinect is being hacked further to make exoskeletons available for civilian use.

While not using the Kinect per se, Amit Goffer (himself paralyzed from a car wreck) has developed (using similar technology) “robotic trousers” that enables paraplegics to stand and walk (using crutches for stability). The user needs to lean forward and move their upper body to control the device, which weighs some 16 kg (on the outside of one’s clothing). With a harness around the waist and shoulders, the computer and battery combination provides some 3 to 4 hours of use.  It should be available any day now.

Other researchers (University of Bern)  are using Kinect, in conjunction with OsiriX, a medical imaging system, to perform virtual autopsies.  These minimally invasive procedures afford a physician to zoom in or out, move through a 3D image, strictly via gestures.  Another group is considering the use of Kinect to avoid the use of keyboards, touchscreens, and the like within an operating theater to examine medical images without compromising sterility.  Another group is modifying the Kinect for use in physical therapy- providing feedback and improvements to the therapist and the patient.