Mind-Controlled Robot Arms Proving Agile

Approaching skill of a human limb

A paralysed woman has been able to feed herself chocolate and move everyday items using a robotic arm directly controlled by thought, showing a level of agility and control approaching that of a human limb.

Jan Scheuermann, 53, from Pittsburgh, was diagnosed with a degenerative brain disorder 13 years ago and is paralysed from the neck down.

"It's so cool," said Scheuermann during a news conference. "I'm moving things. I have not moved things for about 10 years … It's not a matter of thinking which direction anymore it's just a matter of thinking 'I want to do that'."