Thursday, February 7, 2013

Robot Rex comes face-to-face with the man he is modelled on: Science Museum unveils $1million 'bionic man' with his own heart, blood and lungs

This is quoted from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2273441/Astonishingly-lifelike-bionic-man--complete-synthetic-blood-organs--set-unveiled-Science-Museum.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490#axzz2KDLIrzfb .

Robot Rex comes face-to-face with the man he is modelled on: Science Museum unveils $1million 'bionic man' with his own heart, blood and lungs

  • Team of roboticists build amazing humanoid machine costing £640,000
  • Bionic man has artificial organs and a functional blood circulatory system
  • He is modelled on Swiss man Berthold Meyer, who has bionic hand himself
By Daily Mail Reporter


For years it existed only in the wildest realms of science fiction.
But now a team of leading roboticists have created a real bionic man - complete with artificial organs, synthetic blood and robot limbs goes.
The astonishing creation incorporates some of the latest advances in prosthetic technology, as well as an artificial pancreas, kidney, spleen and trachea, and a functional blood circulatory system.
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Seeing double: Bertolt Meyer, a social psychologist from Switzerland, stands beside the bionic man whose face is modelled on his own face
Seeing double: Bertolt Meyer, a social psychologist from Switzerland, stands beside the bionic man whose face is modelled on his own face
Twins: Swiss social psychologist Bertholt Meyer with the bionic man, which was modelled on him
Twins: Swiss social psychologist Bertholt Meyer with the bionic man, which was modelled on him
The 6ft 6in (2m) humanoid shares quite a bit in common with Steve Austin, the original 'bionic man' from the cult 1970s TV series the Six Million Dollar Man.

But costing almost £640,000, it is cheaper.

Known as Rex – short for robotic exoskeleton – his hi-tech frame is made up of an array of artificial limbs and organs from around the world.

It was assembled for a new Channel 4 documentary, How To Build A Bionic Man and will go on display at London's Science Museum this week.


On show: The world's first complete Bionic Man unveiled at the Science Museum in London today
On show: The world's first complete Bionic Man unveiled at the Science Museum in London today
The Science Museum exhibit opening on Thursday will explore changing perceptions of human identity against the background of rapid progress in bionics.
In the documentary, to be screened at 9pm on Thursday, experts at the forefront of the research talk to Swiss social psychologist Bertolt Meyer.
Mr Meyer was born without a left hand and has a £30,000 bionic replacement with the ability to grip and twist.
But although his hand is the most advanced on the market, it could soon be obsolete. In the programme Meyer tries out the much more advanced modular prosthetic limb (MPL), which teaches itself how to recognise tiny control signals from the upper arm.
He also meets teams of British scientists who are restoring sight to the blind by implanting microchips in their retinas, and building artificial organs to replace failing lungs, kidneys, pancreases and spleens.
Rex
Saying hello: The world's first 'bionic man', Rex, poses for photos at the Science Museum in London today
The future is now: The Science Museum exhibit opening on Thursday will explore changing perceptions of human identity against the background of rapid progress in bionics
The future is now: The Science Museum exhibit opening on Thursday will explore changing perceptions of human identity against the background of rapid progress in bionics
The bionic man pictured alongside the apparatus that allows him to stand: It incorporates some of the latest advances in prosthetic technology, as well as artificial organs and a functional blood circulatory system
The bionic man pictured alongside the apparatus that allows him to stand: It incorporates some of the latest advances in prosthetic technology, as well as artificial organs and a functional blood circulatory system
'I've looked around for new bionic technologies, out of personal interest, for a very long time and I think that until five or six years ago nothing much was happening,' said Mr Meyer.
'Then suddenly we are now at a point where we can build a body that is great and beautiful in its own special way.'
David Glover, senior commissioning editor for Channel 4 Factual, said: 'Following Bertolt Meyer, who has a bionic arm himself, as he investigates the reality of building a bionic human takes this brilliantly made documentary into new territory. If what scientists can do now is jaw-dropping, the future is mind-boggling.'
The project is supported by a Wellcome Trust People Award which aims to help the public explore biomedical science.
Scientists have built a man from artificial limbs known as Rex which is made up of limbs and organs from around the world
Scientists have built a man from artificial limbs known as Rex which is made up of limbs and organs from around the world
Clare Matterson, director of medical humanities and engagement at the charity, said, quoting from the introduction to the One Million Dollar Man: 'Throughout history people have always sought to enhance themselves to overcome disabilities or to become 'bigger, better, stronger and faster'.

'Science is making aspirations and even fantasy ever more possible. We only have to look back at last summer's Paralympics to see how transforming technology has become.
'Whilst exploring the latest medical developments, How To Build A Bionic Man hints at the implications these advances may raise for mankind in the future.'


VIDEO Launch of the incredible bionic man robot at the Science Museum

 

 

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