Prosthetics manufacturer Ossur recently announced an implantable technology, called Implanted MyoElectric Sensor (IMES), which allows users to control a mechanical limb mentally. The company announced the innovative technology during a press conference in Copenhagen

The technology will make it possible for users to move the company's motorized Proprio Foot just like they are doing it in reality. Generally, there is an annoying lag between intention and action, when it comes to an existing analog (or even powered) prosthesis. This is because the user needs to physically contract a muscle in order to activate it.

However, IMES system is different. In this technique, when electrical signals from the user's brain reach the end of the amputated leg, a pair of sensors set in the surrounding muscle tissue receives them.

After that these sensors transmit a wireless signal to the Proprio foot directing it to flex or extend.

The muscles themselves aren't contracting, therefore, no lag is there between thinking about moving and doing that in reality. In addition to that, the implantation surgery takes nearly 15 minutes; it needs a single-centimeter-long incision.

Many years after a childhood traffic incident, Gudmundur Olafsson lost his right foot and lower legs. Now, the implants have made it possible for him to control a bionic appendage called the Propiro Foot, weighing 3.14lbs (1,424g).

According to him, "As soon as I put my foot on, it took me about 10 minutes to get control of it. I could stand up and just walk away. I was moving it with my muscles, there was nobody else doing it, the foot was not doing it". He added that he was doing it and it felt strange and overwhelming.