OREANDA-NEWS. August 06, 2015. Rex Bionics Plc (AIM: RXB), the pioneer of the REX Robot technology that enhances the mobility of wheel-chair users, is pleased to announce the successful demonstration of REX directed by Mind Control technology at the 2015 Meeting of Robotics: Science and Systems, Rome, Italy.

The Mind Control technology used in Rome has been developed at the Laboratory for Non-invasive Brain-Machine Interface Systems, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Houston, Texas, under the direction of Professor Jose Luis Contreras Vidal.  The technology is an application of electroencephalography (EEG) - the recording of electrical activity along the scalp.  The EEG application records the precise brain patterns of the REX user thinking about the process of walking; so that when the REX user, fitted with the robotic device linked to the EEG, initiates the thought of walking, a command is issued to the REX, which then responds by moving forwards.

At the conference, Robert Camm, a 21 year-old quadriplegic man from Gloucestershire, UK, with a C3 level complete spinal injury, walked in the REX while in complete and sole control, using the Mind Control technology.  He was supported by a team of carers from his family and from PhysioFunction, one of the UK's leading neurological rehabilitation clinics. 

At the conference, Seong-Whan Lee, Hyundai Motor Chair Professor of Brain and Cognitive Engineering at Korea University also presented his work on the control of REX with the use of Sip/Blow and Eye Movement Control systems.

Independently of the research work at the University of Houston, there is also a well-advanced research programme at the Center for Neuroprosthetics at the EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, under the direction of Professor Jose del Milan, also exploring the use of mind control of robots. 

In a related development, the REX robot has been upgraded with enhanced RexLink software that allows researchers and therapists to precisely record all of the movements of the REX automatically and in real time.  This will be valuable in the study of the biomechanics of the core REX system and the new applications in the pipeline.  Development of the basic science is an important part of the Rex Bionics' innovation process and the technology will be made available to departments of Robotics at Universities around the world. 

Crispin Simon, Chief Executive of Rex Bionics Plc said "Our mission is to make REX available to all wheel-chair users, including quadriplegics.  The development of these technologies represents real progress - for people with spinal cord injury and with other illnesses and injuries too. 

We are delighted that these world-class universities, operating at the leading edge of robotics technology, have chosen to work with REX." 

To read Robert Camm's thoughts on the experience, visit:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/paralysed-man-who-walks-again-6174211