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See the original image at news.bbc.co.uk —

Monkeys Can Control Robot Arms Using Only Their Thoughts

news.bbc.co.uk — Monkeys have been able to control robotic limbs using only their thoughts, scientists report. The animals were able to feed themselves using prosthetic arms, which were controlled by brain activity. Writing in Nature journal, the authors said their work could eventually help amputees and people who are paralysed.

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  • DigiDave, on 05/28/2008, -3/+42Wow. This story is four years old.

    Seriously: http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2004 ...

    No knock on MakiMaki - I think the BBC is wasting their time trying to re-hash this story.
    • indigit4l, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1That's what I came here to say... But it's not under "news", at least not on digg.... hmm, I am predicting funny monkey vs robot comments
      • AnotherBrian, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1Why monkey vs robot, when now you can have both?

        You got a monkey in my robot.
        No you got a robot in my monkey!

        /I'll be here all week.
    • ienjoyhotsoup, on 05/29/2008, -0/+2You didn't read the last paragraph about the scientists attaching robot arms with chain guns to the monkeys and training them to become ultimate killing machines.


      Oh what a difference 4 years of research makes.
  • PinkChicken, on 05/28/2008, -1/+7+1 monkeys
    But we're still winning.
    • trevah, on 05/29/2008, -0/+2I'm not sure for how long though...

      Did anyone else read that as "Moneys Can Control Robot Armies"? I almost ***** myself.
  • WraTH017, on 05/28/2008, -1/+23Using ONLY their thoughts? Title's a bit misleading. I was expecting an article about monkey telekineses.
    • wontstoptalking, on 05/29/2008, -1/+2Everyone knows Mice are the smartest of everything on earth, with Dolphins as second, and humans in third. Haven't you read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy? I wouldn't be surprised if monkeys are blowing our heads up with only their thoughts like the
      Dramatic Chipmunk in that awesome episode of South Park.
    • Philbert, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1That's exactly what I was thinking, I clicked the link expecting to see some crazy story about monkey telekinesis.

      wontstoptalking: In case you didn't know, that South Park bit was a reference to the movie Scanners.
    • judsond, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1That's why I dugg this, I don't care if it's true, it's a funny idea. :P
  • tehbored, on 05/28/2008, -3/+8Oh great, yet another monkey and robotic arm experiment to prove what we've already known for at least four years.
    • neuro420, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1That amputees are lazy, first its wheelchairs, then its monkeys to control their robotic limbs for them. get off your ass and get your own dam monkey
  • wefarrell, on 05/29/2008, -0/+10It's only a matter of time before the monkey cyborgs enslave us all.
    • Greengoo, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1I, for one, welcome our new telekinetic bionic monkey overlords.
    • Arguman, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1And last year some monkeys were able to control robot legs. We just have to hope this technology doesn't get into the hands of Apes. Charlton Heston is probably in hell right now screaming "I told you! But you wouldn't believe me!" while probably ripping off his shirt.
  • RyeBrye, on 05/29/2008, -0/+5Krang will soon be a reality.... well... once brains can start to talk too
    • jrobh, on 05/29/2008, -0/+3I wish I could digg this comment about 10 times.
    • glowend, on 05/29/2008, -1/+1Krang is already a reality:
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az9xlx1HqoI
    • Amadeus2490, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1Well, they've already developed a system of sub-vocalization for astronauts. What this means, is that when you think about talking, your brain still sends nerve impulses to your throat that form the words. The machine picks these up, amplifies them and sends them to a headset.

      Can't they theoretically find a way to amplify and transmit thoughts without having to rely on the throat?
  • Shiftgood, on 05/29/2008, -0/+6The telescoping effect of innovation means in our lifetime we are due for 1 or 2 (3?) major breakthroughs in our life.

    high five for being alive right now.... this is awesome.
  • tinkafoo, on 05/29/2008, -1/+5Dr. Miguel Nicolelis did this with a simple video game a few years ago.
    Caution.. The 04:30 mark of this video will make you jump:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTVVYYxY9Cs
    • nullcodes, on 05/29/2008, -0/+2Why did someone down digg the above? It was a good video.
    • arcooke, on 05/29/2008, -0/+2Wow, that was a great video.
  • Spartanious, on 05/29/2008, -3/+7Game over. They won.


    I for one welcome our new overlords.
    • rentmitchum, on 05/29/2008, -0/+2HAW HAW HAW says Jack Chick.
    • arcticblue, on 05/29/2008, -0/+2You did it wrong.
    • infinitus64, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1articblue is right you did it wrong, i was going to do it but you beat me to it.
  • j1ggy, on 05/29/2008, -4/+1Shouldn't be a problem making one for Bush to play with, seeing that he is a chimp and all.
    • mrpleco, on 05/29/2008, -1/+3Buried for posting political crap in the SCIENCE section.

      >>>>
      Politics is that way.
  • MangalaIII, on 05/29/2008, -0/+7This was big news...in 2000
  • Roger, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1Friggin monkeys.
  • PeckerSlap, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1stop puttin monkeys in labs. they are all we have to disprove religion
  • melonade, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1We must prepare for the great battle against the Robot-Psychic Monkey Coalition.

    GET ME SOME BANANAS AND A FIRE HOSE!!
  • Owned1Up, on 05/29/2008, -2/+1I really don't see how this is amazing, they used the part of their brain that moves limbs. What did you think was going to happen?
  • chrisinsocalif, on 05/29/2008, -3/+1Hmm, I wonder if i can get a bionic wiener.
  • GeneralCopper, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1That's kind of creepy.
  • bootow, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1Ape shall never kill ape.
    • BrokenNebula, on 05/29/2008, -1/+0lol dugg for a Jin reference.
      • Arguman, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1Jin? what? who is that?

        "Ape shall never kill ape" Is from Planet of the Apes, plebeian.
  • cledford, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1Old but still impressive.
  • Joeshrapnel, on 05/29/2008, -1/+0When i first read it.. I saw: Monkeys control robot armies...
    Needless to say... i got really scared.
  • l800LEMMINGS, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1mecha monkey
  • Yonson, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1Our time as the dominant species on earth has come to an end.
  • cranium, on 05/29/2008, -0/+2Okay, old joke, but what do you think the poo-flinging range is of that thing?
  • Owwmykneecap, on 05/29/2008, -1/+3Get your robotic Mind controlled arm off of me, YOU DAMNED DIRTY MONKEY.
  • warlokaz2004, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1I know PETA would throw a fit but could you imagine a bunch of mech's with monkey brains on a battlefield?
  • Danoz, on 05/29/2008, -0/+3The 60 seconds that were cut from the end of this video show the monkey bludgeoning the scientist to death with its metal arm. Its true, i swear.
  • BobbyMC, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2The only reason the age of these tests is detrimental to the enjoyment of the article is that you are distracted by the annoying fact that despite this they still haven't gotten around to attaching a few more wires and building a monkey exoskeleton.
  • luskin, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1I for one welcome our new monkey overlords.
  • 2clone, on 05/29/2008, -0/+2Step one: Eating.
    Step two: Poop throwing.
  • s4g4n, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1Sexual money thoughts control prosthetic limb to masturbate itself. Genious
  • scotticus, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1I think the rat brain cells in a petri dish flying an F-22 simulator is way more interesting.
  • androothebear, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1why not people?
  • WolverineBlue, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1I for one welcomed our telepathic monkey overlords the last time they made front page.
  • nigirimon, on 05/29/2008, -0/+0Despite being a scientist myself I am nonetheless disgusted when people cut open monkeys for research.
  • brownr21, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1Because clearly the only use anyone can think of is for useless disabled people.
  • Hassassin, on 05/29/2008, -0/+2We are soooo ***** when the robotic monkey uprising takes place.
  • awesometastic1, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1i'm going to come at you like a telekinetic monkey...
  • rentmitchum, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1I for one welcome any new overlords who never leave the position of overlord so people can stop welcoming them. Maybe the Blob with Juggernaut's Crytek crystal and armor.. No one could move him or stop him. Picture that. Enjoy.

    ...blobbernaut.
  • mparker7410, on 05/29/2008, -0/+4~In the year 2000... Monkeys can throw their feces with nothing but mind control and a robot arm ...In the year 2000~
  • kataztrophy, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1That tears it, I want a pet monkey damnit. ***** what PETA has to say about it, I want it to pilot a giant mecha for me.
  • lukas88, on 05/29/2008, -1/+2Did anyone else read that as "monkeys can control robot ARMY using only their thoughts"?

    I was getting ready to take my suicide pills.
  • dollar0dot02, on 05/29/2008, -0/+0Do they have to think in Russian?
  • hagfish70, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1monkey for teh win.
  • burjzyntski, on 05/29/2008, -0/+0Oh yeah, well I can control monkies using only my robotic arms...
  • f3rr3r, on 05/29/2008, -0/+0Everyone knows Sandy the squirrel built the banana peeling machine a long time ago..... She's going to be pissed
  • nullcodes, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1Besides helping the disabled, there are tons of possibilities for neural interfaces .. such as for gaming and communication. For example you can be on the cell phone withoput actually talking. Or find files on a computer using thought UI.. or ditch keyboards etc.

    I think if they oriented towards gamers too it would be easier to get the research funded since gamers are a larger market than the disabled.
  • dizzythegreat, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1I can't help but imagine a monkey in a giant robotic suit, killing hundreds of people.
  • R2DeeDoo, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1Strange cose Bush cannot control his mouth with his mind. Or maybe that's because he aint got a mind of his own?
    • burjzyntski, on 05/29/2008, -0/+0cose != because
      strangely enough, though, "ain't" can mean the same as 'doesn't have' and basically anything else that...***** this. I'm done.

      The word "ain't" just gets me going...
  • AnotherBrian, on 05/29/2008, -0/+1Damn it! I want to control a robot arm with my mind.
  • geedots, on 05/29/2008, -0/+0Yeah, well I control every part of my body with my mind. Except my penis. He has a mind of his own, and he's smarter than I am.
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