Another report is coming in this week of a breakthrough in technology as a quadriplegic man has had his right arm and hand brought back to life with the help of thought-control technology. Bill Kochevar, 56, was paralysed below his shoulders in a cycling accident eight years ago but can now grasp and lift objects after having two pill-sized electrodes implanted in his brain.

The electrodes record the activity of brain neurons to generate signals that tell another device to stimulate muscles in the paralysed limb. During trials held at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, Mr Kochevar raised a mug of water to his lips and drank from a straw. He also scooped forkfuls of mashed potato from a bowl. Mr Kochevar, from Cleveland, said the technology was “better than I thought it would be”. FULL REPORT