It's for the first time that an exoskeleton has been controlled by brain activity and offered feedback to the patients. And also having a demonstration in a stadium is something very much outside routine in robotics. It's never been done before.
The exoskeleton uses a cap placed on the patient's head to pick up brain signals and relay them to a computer in the exoskeleton's backpack. This then decodes the signals which in return translates into commands for the robot to start moving and sends them to the legs. The robotic suit is powered by hydraulics, and a battery in the backpack allows for approximately two hours of use. Dr Cheng who led the development of a form of artificial skin for the exoskeleton. This skin consists of flexible printed circuit boards, each containing pressure, temperature and speed sensors. It is applied on the soles of the feet and allows the patient to receive tactile stimulation when walking with the exoskeleton. When the robotic suit starts to move and touches the ground, signals are transmitted to an electronic vibration device on the patient's arm, which stimulates their skin. After lots of practice, the brain starts associating the movements of the legs with the vibration in the arm. In theory, the patient should start to develop the sensation that they have legs and that they are walking.
The suit has been named Bra-Santos Dumont, which combines the three-letter designation for Brazil and Alberto Santos-Dumont, the aviation pioneer who was born in the country's southern state of Minas Gerais.
Looking at the screengrab of the kick, it’s unlikely that the Bra-Santos Dumont exoskeleton will instantly give you Cristiano Ronaldo skills, but it should certainly give some hope to soccer players who have lost the use of their legs.
Paraplegic Performs World Cup’s Ceremonial First Kick in Mind-Controlled Robotic Suit