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The Centre for Robotics and Neural Systems (CRNS) uses its research to address societal challenges, both nationally and internationally. It notably responds to practical problems and evaluates its robotics research in the real world, exposing it to use and users beyond the lab. This has generated both economic and social impact in clinical practice, education, entertainment and outreach: the use of robot companions for patients and disabled users; inspiration of school-children; engagement of thousands with the possibilities of robotics through high-profile robot competitions. Economic impact is reflected by commercial investment, and world-wide sales of robotics technologies by spin-off companies.
The Cybernetics team at the University of Reading works at the frontier of human-machine interaction. The group carries out research on therapy and human enhancement in collaboration with medical professionals, to research new therapeutic treatments for patients with paralysis. Our work has led to the first human implantation of BrainGate, an intelligent deep brain stimulator, and the culturing of neurons within a robot body. Our work has been used by neurosurgeons in experimental human trials with the aim to enhance the standard of living of paralysed individuals. This ground breaking, and sometimes controversial work, has sparked widespread discussion and debate in the public sphere, within the media and at the government level, on the use of machines to enhance humans and vice versa.