The emergence of robotic body augmentation provides exciting innovations that will revolutionize the fields of robotics, human-machine interaction and wearable electronics. While augmentative devices like extra robotic arms and fingers are informed by restorative technologies in many ways, they also introduce unique challenges for bidirectional human-machine collaboration. Can humans adapt and learn to operate a new robotic limb collaboratively with their biological limbs, without restricting other physical abilities? To successfully achieve robotic body augmentation, we need to ensure that by giving a user an additional (artificial) limb, we are not trading off the functionalities of an existing (biological) one. In this manuscript, we introduce the "Neural Resource Allocation Problem" and discuss how to allow the effective voluntary control of augmentative devices without compromising the control of the biological body. In reviewing the relevant literature on extra robotic fingers and arms, we critically assess the range of potential solutions available for the Neural Resource Allocation Problem.For this purpose, we combine multiple perspectives from engineering and neuroscience with considerations from human-machine interaction, sensory-motor integration, ethics, and law. Altogether we aim to define common foundations and operating principles for the successful implementation of robotic body augmentation.
Introducing robotic body augmentation and the neural resource allocation problemWith robotic body augmentation -the augmentation of humans' physical abilities via robotic systems 1 -we are witnessing the rise of a new class of technologies, which are designed to resemble human limbs in their functionality while being integrated with the users' natural abilities. Traditionally, such devices have been developed to substitute a missing or impaired body function (i.e., restorative technologies), most famously bionic legs and arms for substitution of missing limbs 2,3 or exoskeletons for restoring impaired movement 4 . But from a system design perspective, the same technological foundation that allows a functionality which approximately matches that of a body part to be implemented, can also be exploited for augmenting the sensory and motor capabilities of an able-bodied individual. As such, human body augmentation is no longer science fiction. From the engineering side, a whole spectrum of human body enhancement now exists, ranging from technologies for restoration or compensation of functions in patients with physical limitations (Fig.
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