The research being conducted is intended to create more reliable and long-term implants with which to control prostheses. Using a direct interface with nerves or the brain itself is something many researchers are interested in trying, but the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, part of the Department of Defense, is focusing more on everyday usability and longevity — two things that matter quite a bit to the devices’ users.

With DARPA’s Reliable Neural-Interface Technology (RE-NET) program, the agency “took on the mission of giving our wounded vets increased control of advanced prosthetics,” wrote program manager Jack Judy in the blog post describing the research. …

In Chicago, they are working on “targeted muscle re-innervation,” which allows the artificial limb to be controlled via the muscles still intact on the amputated limb. A bicep muscle, even if only partially retained after surgery or injury, could be tapped into and used as the trigger that makes the arm pull up — just as it would if the muscle were doing the job itself.