Scientists develop robotic hand for people with quadriplegia that can be controlled with the mind

A mind-controlling robotic hand that allows people with certain types of spinal injuries to perform everyday tasks such as using a fork or drinking from a cup have been developed by scientists. 

The low-cost robotic device was tested in Spain on six different people with quadriplegia affecting their ability to grasp or manipulate objects.

The users of the device were able to send signals to a tablet computer that controlled the glove-like device attached to their hand by wearing a cap that measures electric brain activity and eye movement.

According to results published on Tuesday in the journal Science Robotics, participants in the study were able to perform daily activities better with the robotic hand than without it.

"The participants who had previously expressed difficulty in performing everyday tasks without assistance rated the system as reliable and practical, and did not indicate any discomfort during or after use," said the researchers.

According to the result, it took participants 10 minutes to learn how to use the system before they were able to carry out tasks such as picking up potato chips or signing a document.

Lead author of the study and neuroscientist at the University Hospital Tuebingen in Germany, Surjo R. Soekadar, said participants represented typical people with high spinal cord injuries, meaning they were able to move their shoulders but not their fingers.

A weakness with the robotic system meant users had to have sufficient function in their shoulder and arm to reach out with the robotic hand, while mounting the system required another person's help.

An expert on spinal cord injury at Berlin's Charite hospital, Jan Schwab, who did not take part in the research, called it an interesting pilot study that needed follow up with further clinical tests.

The system could be brought to market within two years, said Soekadar.

Frank JordansAssociated Press