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  • This remote-controlled robot, with a nose-mounted camera,

  • turns right and left, moves up and down, and even flies

  • through a ring, all on command from a controller,

  • who uses a special instrument.

  • And what is this instrument?

  • The controller's mind.

  • Here at the University of Minnesota, professor Bin He

  • and his team have engineered a noninvasive system,

  • called a brain/computer interface, that allows a person

  • to control a robot using only their thoughts.

  • Dr. He's team includes Alex Doud and Karl LaFleur.

  • For example, if you imagine making a fist

  • with your right hand, it turns the robot to the right.

  • And if you imagine making a fist with both hands,

  • it moves the robot up.

  • Here's how it works.

  • When the controller imagines a movement,

  • without actually moving, specific neurons

  • in the brain's motor cortex produce electric currents.

  • These currents are detected by electrodes in an EEG cap,

  • which sends the signals to the computer.

  • The computer translates the signal pattern into a command

  • and beams it to the robot via WiFi.

  • In this case, "turn right."

  • This brain/computer interface technology is all

  • about helping people with a disability

  • or various neurodegenerative diseases-to help them regain

  • mobility, independence, and enhanced performance.

  • We envision they'll use this technology

  • to help control wheelchairs,

  • artificial limbs, or other devices.

  • This has tremendous potential for people

  • who can't move or speak.

  • And the best part is it's completely noninvasive.

  • Nobody has to have a chip implanted in their brain to pick

  • up the neuronal activity.

  • We are very proud to have taken this step toward that goal.

This remote-controlled robot, with a nose-mounted camera,

Subtitles and vocabulary

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B2 robot controller brain brain computer computer fist

Mind Over Mechanics

  • 17 1
    Zenn posted on 2013/06/13
Video vocabulary

Keywords

computer

US /kəmˈpjutɚ/

UK /kəmˈpju:tə(r)/

  • noun
  • Machine for storing data, accessing the internet
mobility

US /moˈbɪliti/

UK /məʊˈbɪləti/

  • noun
  • Ability to move
  • other
  • The ability to move easily from place to place.
  • The ability to move easily and freely.
  • The ability of cells to move within an organism.
  • The ability to transfer data between different systems or devices.
  • The ability to improve one's economic status.
  • The ability to move troops and equipment quickly and efficiently.
  • The ability to move between different levels of society or employment.
make

US /mek/

UK /meɪk/

  • verb
  • To arrange or prepare something e.g. dinner
  • To get to (a place) on time
  • To gain the status of (teacher, lawyer, etc.)
  • To create something by putting things together
  • To create or construct something.
  • To earn a certain amount of money at a job
  • To cause or force a person to do something
  • To force someone to do something.
  • To cause something to happen or be formed
  • noun
  • Product made by a particular company; brand
chip

US /tʃɪp/

UK /tʃɪp/

  • noun
  • Small piece that has broken off (e.g. from cup)
  • Piece of computer hardware that does calculations
  • Thin piece of fried potato or other food
  • Act of hitting a ball high but not very far
  • verb
  • To break a small piece off something such as a cup
  • To break into small pieces, often with a tool
  • To hit or kick a ball high but not very far
send

US /sɛnd/

UK /send/

  • verb
  • To cause to behave or respond in a particular way
  • To cause mail or packages to go to another place
  • To move something quickly in a particular way
  • To give information or greetings to someone
help

US /hɛlp/

UK /help/

  • noun
  • Assistance given to someone in need
  • Something given to enable a person to do something
  • A service or resource that provides assistance.
  • Someone who makes something easier or possible
  • other
  • Assistance or support given to someone.
  • verb
  • To act to enable a person to do something; assist
  • To give assistance or support to someone.
  • To make something better or more effective.
  • To make something better or less difficult
  • To be unable to prevent or avoid something.
  • other
  • To give assistance or support to someone.
  • To make something better or more effective.
  • To prevent something from happening.
camera

US /ˈkæmərə, ˈkæmrə/

UK /'kæmərə/

  • noun
  • Object that takes pictures digitally, or on film
  • A webcam.
  • A device for recording visual images in the form of photographs, film, or video signals.
  • The television or film industry.
  • other
  • The art or activity of taking photographs or filming.
people

US /ˈpipəl/

UK /'pi:pl/

  • noun
  • Ordinary people; the general public.
  • Ordinary people; commoners.
  • Persons sharing culture, country, background, etc.
  • The employees of a company or organization.
  • Humans in general; persons considered collectively.
  • Men, Women, Children
  • A nation or ethnic group.
  • Human beings in general or considered collectively.
  • One's family or relatives.
  • other
  • Human beings in general or considered collectively.
  • other
  • To populate; to fill with people.
speak

US /spik/

UK /spi:k/

  • verb
  • To be able to use a certain language
  • To use words to tell information, express thoughts
hand

US /hænd/

UK /hænd/

  • noun
  • Cards given to a player in a card game
  • Piece of a clock that points to the time
  • Someone who performs physical tasks or work
  • Body part at the end of a person's arm
  • Help for someone performing a particular action
  • Condition of having power or influence
  • Member of the crew of a ship
  • verb
  • To give something to someone personally