Paralysed man walks again with brain-controlled exoskeleton

PARIS: AFrenchmanparalysedin an accident four years ago can nowwalkagainthankstoabraincontrolled exoskeleton in what scientists say is a breakthrough providing hope to tetraplegics seeking to regain movement.

The patient trained for months, harnessinghisbrainsignals to control acomputer-simulated avatar to perform basic movements before using the robot device to walk.

The man, identified as Thibault, 28, said the technology has given him a new lease of life.

“Thebrainiscapableofgenerating commandsthatwouldnormally move the arms and legs,” said Alim-LouisBenabid, professoremeritusatGrenobleandlead author of the study published in Lancet Neurology.