Better Living thru DARPA [Jack M.]

The above picture is of a Tennessee man named Jesse Sullivan. His left arm, holding the paint roller is BIONIC. His newfound ability to paint, and engage in other fine motor controlled actions? Brought to him by the good folks at DARPA.

Mr. Sullivan's story runs in the Detroit News Online today. I'll excerpt some of the more interesting paragraphs, but really you should read the whole thing. Heh. Singularity? Indeed.

From the story:

"The motions are coordinated and smooth because his left arm is a bionic device controlled by his brain. He thinks, "Close hand," and electrical signals sent through surgically re-routed nerves make it happen.

Doctors describe Sullivan as the first amputee with a thought-controlled artificial arm.

Further down:

"That prompted researchers to make improvements, part of a U.S. government initiative to refine artificial limbs that connect body and mind. The National Institutes of Health has supported the research, joined more recently by the military's research-and-development wing, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Some 411 U.S. troops in Iraq and 37 in Afghanistan have had wounds that cost them at least one limb, the Army Medical Command says.

Although work that created Sullivan's arm preceded the research by DARPA, he said he's proud to test a type of bionic arm that soldiers could someday use. "Those guys are heroes in my book," he said, "and they should have the best there is."

"We're excited about collaborating with the military," said the developer of Sullivan's arm, Dr. Todd Kuiken, director of neuroengineering at the Center for Artificial Limbs at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Which reminds me of an important point. Perhaps Mr. Sullivan isn't on the frontlines in Iraq or Afghanistan. And maybe Dr. Todd Kuiken isn't off in some MASH unit somewhere. But in their own ways, these people are contributors to the war efforts and are heroes in their own right.

While I agree with Mr. Sullivan's assessment that the soldiers these limbs may someday help are worthy of the appelation of hero, so to do I feel that Mr. Sullivan and those with whom he is working to refine these life-altering technologies are heroes too.

But real heroes seldom claim the title for themselves. So, Mr. Sullivan, allow me to include you and Dr. Kuiken on the list. Because some day, sooner rather than later, a soldiers life is going to be made immeasurably better. And while he may not know who to thank, he will be giving thanks every day.

UPDATE: For every bionic man, there must also be a bionic woman. Iblis tips me to a story involving just such a woman/Marine using the same type of bionic arm described above. Interesting stuff. Thanks for the tip, Iblis.

posted by Ace at 03:24 PM

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