I fail to see the need for a helmet if you are trying to deal with amputations/prothesis.
There is already a large system of nerves in place that people have spent their entire lives learning to use. It makes more sense (at least to me) to hook up to that.
I remember a video (link) where a person with an upper arm amputation had the nerves that used to lead to their hand rewired to a series of patches on their chest. Those patches of skin where then used as feedback points for tactile sensors from that hand, so the patent could tell when and how hard something was being gripped.
There is certainly a difference between using nerves for feedback vs control, but (from my limited understanding of the topic) they don't seem that far removed.
If we are talking about adding new structures (cat ears or tails) to the human body, then I certainly see the need for a brainwave hat. As there are no existing nerve pathways to take advantage of.
edit: found the video.
and apparently (according to the wikipedia) the mental remapping and physical remapping follow one another. so that when a person learns to move the remapped muscles (that can be picked up for motor control), the skin sensations will follow (you touch that part of their chest and they feel it as their hand).
also they are now working on legs.
we truly live in the days of miracle and wonder.
-Terry
-----
"so listen up boy, or pornography starring your mother will be the second worst thing to happen to you today"
TF2: Spy
There is already a large system of nerves in place that people have spent their entire lives learning to use. It makes more sense (at least to me) to hook up to that.
I remember a video (link) where a person with an upper arm amputation had the nerves that used to lead to their hand rewired to a series of patches on their chest. Those patches of skin where then used as feedback points for tactile sensors from that hand, so the patent could tell when and how hard something was being gripped.
There is certainly a difference between using nerves for feedback vs control, but (from my limited understanding of the topic) they don't seem that far removed.
If we are talking about adding new structures (cat ears or tails) to the human body, then I certainly see the need for a brainwave hat. As there are no existing nerve pathways to take advantage of.
edit: found the video.
and apparently (according to the wikipedia) the mental remapping and physical remapping follow one another. so that when a person learns to move the remapped muscles (that can be picked up for motor control), the skin sensations will follow (you touch that part of their chest and they feel it as their hand).
also they are now working on legs.
we truly live in the days of miracle and wonder.
-Terry
-----
"so listen up boy, or pornography starring your mother will be the second worst thing to happen to you today"
TF2: Spy