Monkey demonstrates mental control of mechanical hand

Hangzhou (CNS) -- A monkey called Jianhui at the Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies has just learned to control a robot with his mind. By being the brain behind a mechanical hand he has recently developed the skills to direct it to grab a cup, a box, a ring and some other objects with all the necessary precision.

Researchers put a "hat" on Jianhui which transmits his neural signals through a set of wires to the hand, based on a complex decoding system that transforms the monkey's mental activity to electrical impulses.

Once the achievement is extended to daily life applications, it will be very helpful to the disabled. The 97 percent precision of the device represents the most advanced level of this application in the world.

"If our research can be applied to all body parts, not just manual control, it will be glad tidings for those suffering from extensive physical limitations," team leader Zheng Xiaoxiang told CNS.

Their next goal, Zheng said, is to gift Jianhui with the power to extend mechanical arms.