What is Neurobotics?

Yoky Matsuoka

Neurobotics is a relatively new branch of science that combines neuroscience with robotics. One of its goals is to build prosthetic limbs that have all the functionality of natural limbs and that are controlled by brain power alone. One of the pioneers in this field is Yoky Matsuoka, who appears as a guest on the current episode of Future Talk. Yoky is the winner of a MacArthur Foundation "Genius Grant" as well as many other prestigious awards. She was the founder of the Neurobotics Lab at the University of Washington, and she has her own nonprofit foundation, YokyWorks, which seeks to develop ingenious engineering solutions to help people overcome their physical limitations. She has a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from M.I.T. 


Born in Japan, she originally aspired to be a champion tennis player. A series of injuries ended her tennis career, but observing the process by which her mind and body worked together to heal her injuries inspired her to enter her current field.  To view the episode in its entirety, click here. To view it divided into 3 shorter segments, click here.