Sometimes we need to take a step back and gain new perspective. The so-called little things in life are most often taken for granted. We often don't think twice about everyday things like walking or hugging. But imagine waking up one day unable to move or pick anything up with your arms, I'm sure you would feel like your life was over.

One 55-year old woman however has broken through the mold and is showing everyone that with the help of technology, you can do so many cool things - even flying a plane with your mind.


Jan Scheuermann found her life had drastically changed when a hereditary disease left her quadriplegic. But instead of feeling sorry for herself she decided to take part in a DARPA robotics program where doctors surgically implanted two pea-sized electrodes in her brains left motor cortex. As we previously reported, this operation in 2012 proved to be a success as she has been able to control a robotic arm to do many things that she had not been able to do for years.

The Defense Advance Research Project Agency had been impressed with Jan's ability and skill in mastering control of the robotic arm that they presented a different challenge for her to accomplish. In last week's first annual Future of War Conference organized by the New America Foundation, DARPA's director Arati Prabhakar mentioned Scheuermann involvement in the amazing feat of operating via simulator the Pentagons newest and most expensive weapon, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter plane, solely with her mind.

"Instead of thinking about controlling a joystick, which is what our ace pilots do when they're driving this thing, Jan's thinking about controlling the airplane directly. For someone who's never flown-she's not a pilot in real life-she's flying that simulator directly from her neural signaling," Arati Prabhakar explains

Since DARPA studies the crossroads between biology and robotics, Prabhakar states that they also recognize the implications of their achievements. "In doing this work, we've also opened this door. We can now see a future where we can free the brain from the limitations of the human body and I think we can all imagine amazing good things and amazing potential bad things that are on the other side of that door," she said.

Scheuermann's impressive capacity to tolerate the electrodes for the past two years has led to this high-level experiment. As a result Jan believes that there is a purpose for her condition. "Here came this study where they needed me. You know, they couldn't just pick any Tom, Dick or Harry off the street. In a few years, the quadriplegics and the amputees that this is going to help - the Department of Defense is funding some of this for vets - to be of use to them, in service to them, what an honor," Scheuermann stated.

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