Benjamin Choi, of McLean, Virginia, once saw a report on 60 Minutes about a woman who controlled her prosthetic arm with her mind, using sensors implanted in her brain. Now Choi, 18, has invented a new mind-controlled arm that’s thousands of dollars cheaper and requires only sensors that stick to the head. His work earned him a spot as a finalist in this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search.
Q: Why did that 60 Minutes report interest you?
A: I was really amazed by the potential impact of mind control technology, but I was also alarmed that it required this really risky open brain surgery and that it was incredibly expensive.
Q: How long did it take to make your prosthetic arm?
A: I went through like 75 different iterations of the physical design, and the code took probably a couple thousand hours. I would race through my homework so I could work on it.
Q: What’s your goal?
A: I’d love for this to be something that actual amputees can use and it’s an accessible option to people, although there still are quite a few steps before I can get to that point.
Q: How can other teens get involved in working with this technology?
A: I actually didn’t take any classes. Artificial intelligence sounds complex, but there are so many tutorials and free online programs that will help you get started.
(This interview was edited and condensed for length and clarity.)