You’ll Never Guess What This Woman Is Capable Of Doing
According to Dr. Arati Prabhakar, Director of The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a paralyzed woman named Jan Scheuermann was able to control a F-35 fighter jet in a flight simulator with the power of her mind. A sensor composed of 96 microelectrodes is embedded in Scheuermann’s brain records her neural activity, Wired reported.
Jan Scheuermann cannot move her legs and arms due to a neurodegenerative disease. In 2012, scientists from the University of Pittsburgh’s Human Engineering and Research Laboratories and DARPA contacted her. They wanted to plug her brain into a robotic arm. The 55-year-old woman permitted surgeons to implant a sensor in her brain in order to control a robotic arm. After the implant, she was able to accomplish tasks such as giving thumbs up, high fives and feeding herself a chocolate bar.
After several experiments, Scheuermann decided to give a new challenge a shot. She expressed her desire to fly a Joint Strike Fighter simulator. Surprisingly, she was able to use her mind to control a fighter jet simulator. The neural connections that are used to control a robotic arm are also used to control a flight simulator. However, scientists still don’t know how neurons control movement. Prabhakar commented that it will take a significant amount of time before they can see civilians or soldiers controlling machines with their minds.
