The use of a robotic ‘third thumb’ could affect the way the hand is represented in the brain , according to a new study carried out by UCL researchers, whose work has been published in the specialized journal ‘Science Robotics ‘.
The team taught study participants to use an extra robotic thumb . They found that, with this thumb, they were able to perform dexterous tasks effectively, such as building a tower of blocks with one hand, now with two thumbs. In addition, as they continued to use it, the trained participants gradually felt that this new thumb was part of their body , so that it would be able to alter the cerebral representation of the hand.
According to the researchers, “body augmentation is a growing field aimed at expanding our different physical abilities.” However, “we lack a clear understanding of how our brains can adapt to it.”
To try to find an answer, the scientists developed a third 3D-printed thumb with which to study the people who used it and answer key questions about whether or not the human brain can support an additional part of the body; and, in addition, how technology could affect our brain.
The third robotic thumb, created by the scientists, is placed on the side of the hand opposite the person’s actual thumb, near the little finger. In turn, the user controls it through a series of pressure sensors connected to their feet, at the bottom of the big toes. Wirelessly connected to the thumb, both toe sensors monitor various movements of the thumb, responding immediately to subtle changes in pressure exerted by the person.
For this research, a total of 20 people participated, who were trained over a period of five days. In addition, at this time, they were encouraged to take the robotic thumb home daily after each workout, in order to use it in their day-to-day life as well, for two to six hours each day. Finally, those participants were compared with an additional group of 10 control users who only used a static version of the third thumb while completing the same training.
In turn, during the different daily laboratory sessions, the users were trained to use the thumb, focusing on different tasks that helped them to increase the cooperation between their hand and the thumb, such as lifting several glasses of wine or different balls. With one hand.
Thus, while the training offered them the possibility of successfully improving their motor control, hand-thumb coordination and the dexterity itself, they also learned the basics of using the thumb, something that also happened very quickly.
Participants were found to be able to use their thumb when distracted (for example, when building a wooden block tower while solving a math problem) or even when blindfolded .
According to experts, the study shows that people are able to quickly learn to control a new body device and use it for their own benefit without thinking too much .
In addition, the scientists found that by using the third robotic thumb, users changed the natural movements of their hands and felt that robotic thumb as their own .
