Introduction to Biomimetics: The Wealth of Inventions in Nature as an Inspiration for Human Innovation - Biomimetics: Biologically Inspired Technologies - page 34

1.9 INTERFACING BIOLOGY AND MACHINES
Interfacing between humans or animals and machines to complement or substitute our biological
senses enables important means for medical applications. Of notable significance is the interfacing
of machines and the human brain. A development by scientists at Duke University (Wessberg et al.,
2000; Mussa-Ivaldi, 2000) enabled this possibility, where electrodes were connected to the brain of
a monkey, and using brain waves, the monkey operated a robotic arm, both locally and remotely via
the Internet. This research is also in progress at Caltech, MIT, Brown University, and other research
institutes. Progress in the past couple of years led to the development of chips that can recognize
brain signals for movement and convert them into action (Musallam et al., 2004). Monkeys fitted
with such chips were trained to move cursors on computer monitors, where such devices translate
signals from the brain's motor cortex, the region that directs physical movement.
Advances in this field have reached the level that recently, the US Food and Drug Administra-
tion (FDA) approved, on a limited basis, the conduction of such experiments on humans. For this
purpose, Cyberkinetics, in Foxborough, Massachusetts (Serruya et al., 2002) is developing this
capability using microchips that are implanted in the motor cortex region of five quadriplegic
patients to allow them mouse control and computer access. The near term objective of this study is
to develop neural-controlled prosthetics. The current chips last up to a year and efforts are made to
develop a longer lasting wireless capability. Using such a capability to control prosthetics would
require feedback in order to provide the human operator a ''feel'' of the environment around
artificial limbs. The feedback can be provided with the aid of tactile sensors, haptic devices, and
other interfaces. Besides feedback, sensors will be needed to allow users to protect the prosthetics
from potential damage (heat, pressure, impact, etc.), just as it is with our biological limbs. Also, it is
hoped to provide disabled people with the ability to communicate through speech or sign to control
their artificial organs.
Interfacing of visualization and hearing devices and the human brain have already emerged
where hearing devices are increasingly implanted and imaging devices are currently at advanced
research stages (Chapters 11 and 17). The eye's focusing mechanism as well as the iris and the eyelid
have already been mimicked in today's cameras. While significant advances have been already
made, the human eyes combined with the brain have far superior capabilities including image
interpretation and recognition, ability to rapidly focus without moving the lens location in the eye,
3-D capability, high sensitivity, and operability in a wide range of light intensities from very dark
to quite bright light. Such a capability has grown significantly with the emergence of small digital
cameras that are now part of many cellular phones and webcams for telecommunication via
computers. It is highly desirable to see via such cameras real-time images with performances that
approach the capability of the human eye. Also, researchers are working to create implants that can
help the vision-impaired regain the ability to see (Chapter 17). Increasingly, sophisticated visual-
ization and image recognition are emerging in security systems. However, while lab demonstrations
have been very successful, these systems still have recognition errors at unacceptable levels. One of
the benefits of this capability, once the reliability issues are overcome, would be a standard operation
as part of homeland security in airports, public areas, or even in our homes.
1.9.1 Telepresence and Teleoperation
Simulators, which involve virtual reality and the ability to ''feel'' remote or virtual environments are
highly attractive and offer unmatched capabilities. To address the need for remote feeling of mecha-
nical forces, the engineering community is developing haptic (tactile and force) feedback systems.
Users of such simulators of procedures may immerse themselves in the display medium while being
connected through haptic and tactile interfaces to allow them to ''feel the action'' at the level of their
fingers and toes. Thus, an expert can perform various procedures from the convenience of the office