Advanced Prosthetics, Neuroprosthetics, and Artificial Limbs

An area of research that is very close to invasive BCI presented earlier is the area of neuroprosthetics. This involves the use of invasive BCI systems aiming to control prosthetic devices (i.e. an artificial hand) or help in rehabilitation of human senses such as seeing and hearing. The most well-known advances in neuroprosthetics are in the area of seeing, the case of the artificial retina, the case of cochlear implants for hearing, and the use of thought-controlled artificial limbs. Building upon knowledge and developments presented in the previous chapters about BCI and robotics, this chapter combines these technologies and discusses advances and challenges to be met in the areas of advanced prosthetics, neuroprosthetics, and artificial limbs.