The Incredible Bionic Man- From a science fiction to a reality

The Incredible Bionic Man is becoming a revelation in the field of bioengineering. Composed of latest in prosthetics technology, these devices have been started to be used in real human bodies. This technology can change millions of life. :)

We have come through a lot of science fictions, movies where robots are right up to the task like humans. Much more similar to human in appearance and behaviour. All these where a part of belief, but not any more. Its a real science development. A robot with human face revealed at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. It was built by Robotic specialists Rich Walker and Matthew Godden,  London's Shadow Company which almost makes us feel like we are watching another part of the legend movie "Terminator". 

Bertolt with his human face replica the 'Bionic Man'

The robot on display at the museum cost almost $1 million and was made from 28 artificial body parts. They include artificial hear,t lungs, circulatory system, pancreas etc. But at the same time lacks few organs such pancreas, intestines etc which are more complex to replicate. The robot was modelled in some physical aspects after Bertolt Meyer, a social psychologist at the University of Zurich, in Switzerland, who wears one of the world's most advanced bionic hands. It has the same prosthetic hands as Meyer did, made by touch bionics with a wrist that can fully rotate and motors in each finger. It has a prosthetic face which is almost like a replica of Meyer's face. The robot has a pair of robotic ankles and feet from BiOM in Bedford, Massachusetts, designed and worn by bio-engineer Hugh Herr of MIT's Media Lab. For more wonder, it also has a robotic exoskeleton dubbed "Rex" made by REX Bionics in New Zealand. This robot also supports a cochlear implant, speech recognition and speech productive systems. No wonder why it is able to hear so sharp and respond. :) The robot is also able to carry on a conversation, having a brain which can mimic certain functions of the real human brain and retinal prosthesis, made by Second Sight in Symlar, California, which can restore limited sight in blind people.  Engineers designed the Bionic Man to enable several of its human-dependant parts to operate without a body. The Bionic Man can be controlled remotely via a computer and specially designed interfacing hardware, while a Bluetooth connection can be used to operate the i limbs. Moreover it also shows how much of our bodies can be replace by circuits, plastic and metal. 

Bionic Man interior organs

From "i-limbs" to artificial organs, technology have advanced in field of prosthetics. Let us have a look on 'I-limb'. The i-limb hand worn by Bertolt Meyer translates his muscle signals into multiple grips. When we give a hand shake to him, we can feel the smooth and black hand which is covered with clear silicon cover. Beneath the rubbery skin was skeletal robotic fingers like the ones we see in science fiction movies what Meyer calls the "cool factor". Touch Bionics, the maker of this mechanical wonder calls it "i-limb". The name is not just for marketing. It has improved software, longer-lasting batteries and smaller, more efficient micro processors which all lead to a great advancement in the field of bionics. The modular design became the basis of i-limb. Latest i-limbs have each finger powered by a 0.4 inch motor that automatically shuts down when sensors indicate sufficient pressure is applied to whatever is being held. When the fingers and thumb lowered together, it create a power grip for carrying large objects. A technician or user can program the i-limb's mini computer with a menu of preset grip configurations. each of which is triggered by a specific muscle movement that required extensive training and practice to learn. The latest released version of i-limb goes a step farther. An app loaded onto an IPhone gives users access to a menu of 24 different grips with the touch of a button. 

                                                       Hugh Herr, with his Artificial Legs

Hugh Herr, a biophysicist and engineer who is the director of biomechatronics group at the MIT's media lab says, prosthetics are improving and advancing too quickly that most of the disabilities will be eliminated by the end of 21st century. Herr was 17 years old when he was caught in a blizzard while climbing New Hampshire's Mount Washington. It was in 1982. He was rescued after three and a half days but by then frostbite had taken its supreme effect. Surgeons didn't have any other thought rather than amputating both his legs. He lost his legs but his determination stood along with him.He was determined climb the mountain again, but his rudimentary prosthetic legs he had been fitted was meant for slow walking. So Herr designed his own legs, optimizing them to mountain balance on mountain ledges etc. More than 30 years later, he holds more than a dozen patents related to prosthetic technologies, including a computer controlled artificial knee that automatically adapts to different walking speeds. :)  He himself uses eight different kinds of prosthetic legs, designed for activities that include running, ice climbing and swimming.Its an inspiration for all of us who wish to pursue his/her dream. 

A lot of research have been going on in this field. It can be filled with a lot of technology marvels. A time when we sit together with robots having a chit chat is not so far. May by more. :) :D