--- title: "Watch a Paralyzed Man “Walk” Using a Mind-Reading Exoskeleton" description: "A French man was able to regain control over all four of his paralyzed limbs thanks to a mind-controlled exoskeleton suit, the BBC reports." date: "2019-10-04" modified: "2019-10-04" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/paralyzed-walk-mind-reading-exoskeleton" categories: - "Robots and Machines" tags: - "exoskeleton" - "mind control" - "paralysis" - "the digest" --- # Watch a Paralyzed Man “Walk” Using a Mind-Reading Exoskeleton ![A French man was able to regain control over all four of his paralyzed limbs again thanks to a mind-controlled exoskeleton suit, the BBC reports.]() *\Image: Clinatec\* ## First Steps A French man was able to regain control over all four of his paralyzed limbs thanks to a mind-controlled exoskeleton suit, the [*BBC* reports](). A video shows 30-year-old Thibault (last name redacted) wearing the bulky 143-pound exoskeleton, which hangs from a support rail attached to the ceiling. In the clip, he walks across the room and moves both of his arms in all directions. "It was like \[being the\] first man on the Moon," Thibault told the *BBC*. "I didn't walk for two years. I forgot what it is to stand, I forgot I was taller than a lot of people in the room." ## Brain Tech The suit is the result of a partnership between French biomedical research center Clinatec and the University of Grenoble, France. Thibault controls the device using two brain implants that monitor the part of the brain responsible for movement. The implants pick up the brain signals and send instructions to a nearby computer, which then translates the signals into movement. This video from *The Lancet* shows how it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GyJBBB8O_M ## Walking Support While impressive, the tech still has a long way to go. At this stage, it's more of a proof-of-concept than a practical solution to paralysis. The team is hoping to get a more detailed map of the brain implants' readings and a more powerful computer to improve the responsiveness of the suit — but they're already encouraged by their results. "This is in \[the\] direction of giving better quality of life," Benabid told the *BBC*. **READ MORE:** [Paralysed man moves in mind-reading exoskeleton]() \[*BBC*\] **More on exoskeletons:** *[The US Military is Buying a Brutal-Looking Powered Exoskeleton]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()