ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a vital branch of computer science, dealing with intelligent behavior, learning and adaptation in machines. Research on the use of AI in prosthetics and orthotics is concerned with producing solutions which can reproduce complex tasks related to human activities. Numerous branches of AI exist, including logical AI, pattern recognition, common sense knowledge and reasoning, inference and learning from experience.
Bionic Technology by Össur incorporates highly advanced AI to increase the functionality of products that, for their users, will reduce mental and physical effort, as well as the consequential strain to other parts of the body following an amputation. A prosthesis that does some thinking of its own, can handle day-to-day occurrences like a change of shoes or the lifting of a heavy bag. Without AI, such events have implications for the function of a prosthesis, unless there is a prosthetist always on hand to fine-tune it accordingly. AI enhances the safety of the device, and therefore of the user, and helps to stimulate voluntary control of the prosthetic limb. The outcome is a more adaptive system and more carefree mobility.
From medical laboratories to Internet search engines and cruise control in cars, AI is all around us. It is helping us to explore our universe through probes and sophisticated robots. It contributes to countless business applications such as systems that trade stocks and commodities without human intervention and software that detects credit card fraud, not to mention computer games, speech recognition software and three-dimensional computer vision.
For interesting reading on the history and progress of AI generally, visit the website of the American Association for Artificial Intelligence