Game helps paralyzed man walk again

How would it feel to walk for the first time in 30 years? One severely paralyzed Japanese man found out this week, courtesy of a team of Japanese scientists.

In an experiment taking place at Japan's Keio University heralded as a world first, the man donned headgear which sensed brainwaves relating to his arms and legs. Just by imagining he was moving his limbs again, he was able to "walk" a character around Second Life, a popular virtual world.

Sound a little gimmicky? Not so fast. Although it'll never replace the mouse and keyboard for able-bodied folks, the team hopes to use the system to help stave off depression in immobilized patients -- no doubt a common problem.

Next up for the Japanese team is a system to allow patients to create text messages by mentally selecting letters. Cellphones may never be the same again.

Get more on Second Life.

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