Is the idea of that’s impossible an outdated idea?
In a recent article in Wired magazine a quadriplegic lady named Jan Scheurmann controlled a jet fighter using nothing but her thoughts.
Science fiction you might say?
Well know.
You see Jan who was quadriplegic due to an hereditary genetic disease was the ‘guinea pig’ so to speak of DARPA (the Pentagon’s advanced research arm).
At first the scientists implanted electrodes in her left motor cortex so she could control a robotic arm.
With practice Jan could do this.
Fast-forward a few years and ‘Instead of connecting Sheuermann’s brain interface to a robotic arm, they connected her to a flight simulator.
She’d use the same neural connections to pilot an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter—the military’s next-gen attack jet’.
Admittedly in the flight simulator she was a bit shaky but who cares?
Something that was considered impossible just a few years ago has now been achieved – a quadriplegic person has been able to navigate a fighter jet using her mind only.
Think of the implications if this could be rolled out to thousands of people who also have spinal disease or damage?
They could lead more independent and perhaps fulfilling lives.
The key message?
Impossible is more and more a state of mind.
With advances in technology combined with imagination and motivation – anything might be possible.