ReEnabled has consistently touted the computer gaming world as the birthplace of technologies which will drastically change the landscape of existence for the profoundly disabled. Yet more credence is given to this idea with the latest release of a mind-controlled computer game, using fairly commonly available parts and software.

Researchers at University of Massachusetts Amherst have created a robotic arm with true learning ability and artificial intelligence. This is truly a breakthrough as part of the problem with robotic helpmates has always been the need to program them for every eventuality that could be encountered. Garbage in; garbage out. Newswise reports.

Ricky Buchanan of ATMac (an assistive technology site related to integration of AT and Macintosh computing) has a demo unit of the CRUISE trackapad for use with Mac OS X. Watch his site for details!

Dean Kamen is a legend in many industries, but perhaps not many know that much of his inspiration has come from a personal desire to help the physically challenged. Today, word comes from Wired about his latest invention, a mind-controlled robotic prosthetic arm. Check it out.

A monkey has learned to operate a robotic arm to feed itself, using only brain power. Researchers are confident that this technology will help paralyzed and disabled people to create a more autonomous lifestyle in the not-too-distant future. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine issued a press release detailing the accomplishment.

CNN reports: Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua Bleill lost both his legs above the knees when a bomb exploded under his Humvee while on patrol in Iraq on October 15, 2006. He has 32 pins in his hip and a 6-inch screw holding his pelvis together.

Now, he’s starting to walk again with the help of prosthetic legs outfitted with Bluetooth technology more commonly associated with hands-free cell phones.

Bleill, 30, is one of two Iraq war veterans, both double leg amputees, to use the Bluetooth prosthetics. Computer chips in each leg send signals to motors in the artificial joints so the knees and ankles move in a coordinated fashion.

Bleill’s set of prosthetics have Bluetooth receivers strapped to the ankle area. The Bluetooth device on each leg tells the other leg what it’s doing, how it’s moving, whether walking, standing or climbing steps, for example.

“They mimic each other, so for stride length, for amount of force coming up, going uphill, downhill and such, they can vary speed and then to stop them again,” Bleill told CNN from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he’s undergoing rehab.

Scientists and researches have long recognized that the bond between human and animal can provide a much needed psychological assistance to people with disabling diseases and injuries.

A specialized lift meant to help physically challenged children experience the joy of horse riding is being developed by helpful students of engineering at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

MSNBC has a fabulous article up about the many advances being made in prosthetic and assistive technology. From simple advances, such as more comfortable materials, to the more bizarre advances such as miniature ‘free-thinking’ assistive technology devices powered by moth brains, it becomes more and more obvious each day that the human body itself may become obsolete in the no longer invisible future, as long as the brain remains well fed and cared for.

Ok, it has a long way to go, but what a boon this could be!

Fujitsu’s HOAP-3 robot is learning the basics of chess. Now the little fellow is trying his hand at cooking. It can chop, whisk, and grate its way through a simple omelette recipe - check out the video below for the results.

Creating what are called SWAT Teams - or Schools in Westchester Assistive Technology Teams - the Westchester Institute for Human Development has partnered with local public schools to train educators and expand the use of various assistive technologies.

Among the SWAT Teams’ most valued initiatives is something called the loan library, which is stocked with various assistive equipment that parents and educators can test before purchasing.