14 DAY TRIAL // This year could mark a very important achievement in the struggle to get paralyzed people to walk again. At the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Brazil, one teen will demonstrate the capabilities of an exoskeleton-type device that will enable them to kick off the competition.
Developed by researchers at the Duke University, in the United States, the exoskeleton is worn by the user, and provides tactile feedback via integrated computers. A battery-based power sources is carried on the back, and powerful actuators do all the heavy lifting. The instrument was developed as part of the Walk Again Project at Duke.
A pool of 10 candidates has already been selected for demonstrating this technology. The winner will get to wear the exoskeleton during the opening ceremony, and will be the first to kick the ball ahead of the World Cup. One thing worth mentioning here is that the exoskeleton is controlled directly by the user's brain, not by joysticks or remote.
A brain-computer interface (BCI) is used to connect the mind of the wearer to the suit. The latter than interprets what the mind wants to do, and sends the relevant commands to the actuators and motors. BCI have developed to such an extent that practical applications may soon become feasible, The Washington Post reports.