It is always astounding what technology can come up with next; a few years ago if someone was completely paralyzed they would never have any hope of regaining any functions, even with prosthetics of that time. That was because until recently robotic and motorized prosthetics required pressure sensors and signals to be operated by flexing different muscles such as those in the shoulder blade to operate them. But now thanks to modern technology it is possible to connect sensors directly to the brain in order to operate remote prosthetic devices. As this video [1] from ABC News shows a paralyzed woman who does not have access of her own limbs can now use and operate a prosthetic one remotely.
With further understanding of the brain and decoding its signals this technology can eventually restore functions previously thought to be unobtainable, even sight to the blind. As of February 21, 2013 the Alpha IMS device [2] a retinal implant has given sight to 9 previously blind people. This is the latest in retinal implants, instead of relying on outer cameras to capture images and light the Alpha IMS device uses electrodes implanted directly underneath the retina allowing for the brain to use its own previous connections. Currently this technology only works for patients who have lost their sight but still have function vision processing neurons, however as technology in the field continues to expand it surely will only be a matter of time before even sight can be returned to anyone who has lost it.
Sources:
[1] Robotic prosthetics become a reality, James Oaten, January 3, 2013. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-03/robotic-prosthetics-become-reality/4451736
[2] “This Retinal Implant Has Given Sight to Nine Blind People” Douglas Heaven, New Scientist, February 21, 2013. http://gizmodo.com/5985863/this-retinal-implant-has-given-sight-to-nine-blind-people
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