Computer operation
Currently, there are many options for computer use by individuals with disabilities who have partial or total weakness in their upper limbs. Fortunately, in my case, despite significant paralysis in my hands, I can operate a computer without special and expensive devices. Since I have a functional wrist in my right hand, a pencil attached to a wrist support is sufficient for writing and clicking. The speed of computer operation is also greatly influenced by the mouse, specifically a trackball with a large ball and sizable buttons. With these tools, I face virtually no limitations in operating the computer. I can work while sitting or lying on my left side. Below, I've included photos and a short video of me using the computer.
For health reasons, I had to consider using a computer while lying on my right side and clicking with my left hand, which has a completely paralyzed wrist. I pondered for a long time over a solution that would not be expensive yet would provide relatively high efficiency. After several attempts, I concluded that the best solution would be to use and adapt a hard wrist brace. Such an item can be obtained from the National Health Fund with a minimal personal contribution.
To prevent the trackball from slipping on the brace, I applied a rubber cover from a tennis racket. The pencil used for typing on the keyboard and clicking the mouse is attached with a regular bandage to specially made elongated grooves.
A slightly different technique for using a computer is employed by my friend, a tetraplegic from Warsaw. His mobility is even less than mine since he has no functional wrists.
His computer, along with a monitor, scanner, and printer, is on a table adapted for this purpose, which has wheels attached. When he wants to "play" with the computer, someone present pulls it towards the bed. All the devices are plugged into an extension cord permanently attached to the table.
In total, for him to start the computer, someone must plug the extension cord into the wall socket and connect a second cable to the internet socket, and then place the keyboard on the bed. The bed can be extended anywhere with a small tabletop that can be quickly installed.
Thanks to the mobility of his computer, it can be positioned at any distance. He operates the keys using a "ring" /attachment/ placed on his finger, as seen in the attached photos. The cursor is moved using a so-called touchpad located next to the keyboard.
Did you know that...
Controlling devices with the mind is becoming a reality
A new technology developed by scientists in Australia enables touchless and voiceless control of devices through thought.
Researchers from the University of Technology in Sydney (Australia) have developed biosensor technology that allows a person to operate machines solely through thought control. Sensors are placed at the back of the head to detect brain waves from the cortex. The user wears a head-mounted augmented reality lens that displays white flashing squares. By focusing on a specific square, the operator's brain waves are captured by the biosensor, and a decoder processes the signal into commands. "Our technology can issue at least nine commands within two seconds. This means we have nine different types of commands, and the operator can choose one of those nine during that period," said project co-author Prof. Chin-Teng Lin.
"The hands-free and voice-free technology works outside the laboratory, anytime and anywhere. It makes interfaces such as consoles, keyboards, touch screens, and hand gesture recognition unnecessary. By using cutting-edge graphene material combined with silicon, we have overcome issues related to corrosion, durability, and skin contact resistance to develop dry wearable sensors," said project co-author Francesca Iacopi, a professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Sydney. The sensors are resistant to environmental conditions (temperature changes, humidity, dust, etc.), allowing them to be used in extreme environments. These features are particularly important as the first institution interested in this invention was the Australian army. The technology was demonstrated to military specialists, with the trial involving the control of a robot dog. Soldiers operated the quadruped robot Ghost Robotics using a brain-machine interface. The device allowed for commanding the robot dog without the use of hands and voice with 94 percent accuracy. The study was described in the journal "ACS Applied Nano Materials." In addition to military applications, the technology also has significant potential in civilian fields such as industrial manufacturing, aviation, and healthcare (e.g., enabling disabled individuals to control wheelchairs).
Neuralink develops control of machines with thoughts. Human clinical trials are forthcoming
Elon Musk's company Neuralink is announcing the next phase of work on a solution that allows for controlling electronic devices with thought. It aims to assist individuals who are paralyzed or have spinal cord injuries. Human clinical trials are anticipated, and Neuralink is seeking appropriate specialists.
Elon Musk is best known as the head of the Tesla corporation and SpaceX, which is involved in space travel. However, that's not all. Musk is also a co-founder of Neuralink, which has been operational since 2016 and conducts research on a new human-machine interface.
Neuralink engineers are preparing a solution where special chips implanted in a person's brain will enable them to use a smartphone, computer, or other electronic device through thought commands. No use of hands will be necessary to control the machine. This concept is primarily intended to help individuals with disabilities, such as those paralyzed or with movement impairments due to spinal cord injuries.
The first concepts related to this innovative system were more broadly presented in 2019. In mid-2020, it was announced that the Neuralink solution would allow music to be transmitted directly to the human brain without using speakers or headphones.
There will be human trials
In spring 2021, Neuralink began testing its solution. During the trials, a monkey was able to control a simple game thanks to chips implanted in its brain. Similar tests were also conducted on a pig.
During a recent meeting with investors, Elon Musk announced the next phase of work on the interface being developed by Neuralink. According to the plan, human trials are set to begin in 2022 involving individuals who agree to participate.
The clinical trials aim to demonstrate how the chips communicate with electronic devices in humans and what capabilities can be developed in their brains.
Musk emphasized that if the trials are successful and the solution receives the necessary approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it could be made available for widespread use as early as 2023. The billionaire also expressed hope that in further evolution, the interface being developed could allow partially paralyzed individuals to walk.