Monkey eating marshmallow using only its mind

The monkey uses a robotic arm, which it controls using only signals from its brain.

So why would a monkey be eating marshmallows with a semi cyborg arm? The answer is simple. It's hungry for a snack, and its arms are stuck. What options are there, but to utilize a robotic arm to fulfill its sweet desires? Not many, and it seems the monkey is pleased with this innovative solution.



This innovation could benefit people with paralysis and spinal cord injuries. The goal is to make a prosthetic device for people with total paralysis, and ultimately to better understand brain complexity.

Scientific experiments with animals are often topics of ehtical discussions. We contacted Michele D. Baum a resource person from the university conducting this experiment to ask a couple of questions (University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences).

Q: How were the monkeys treated?
A: "...I can tell you that the monkeys are well cared for. Primate research is expensive, with each individual monkey costing more than $10,000. Beyond that, the U.S. National Institutes of Health and other funders invest large amounts of money into research that is often animal-based. It would not make sense to mistreat the monkeys. They are very well cared for."

Q: Is surgery required to interpret the signals from the brain of a monkey?
A: "The monkeys do have small arrays of electrodes, about the size of half a thumbtack, implanted on the surface of their brains. The electrodes themselves are very thin -- no wider than a human hair. The brain is not exposed. The brain also has no pain sensors and the implant is not painful to the monkey. Researchers often work with the same animal for many years. If the animal was not comfortable, it would not work, and the data collected would not be valid."

Thank you for your answers.

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Further reading and sources:
Mind over matter
Science Daily - Mind over matter