Paralyzed man uses mind-powered robot arm to reach out and touch

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania - Giving a high-five. Rubbing his girlfriend's hand. Such ordinary acts - but a milestone for a paralyzed man.

True, a robotic arm parked next to his wheelchair did the touching, painstakingly, palm to palm. But Tim Hemmes made that arm move just by thinking about it.

Emotions surged. For the first time in the seven years since a motorcycle accident left him a quadriplegic, Hemmes was reaching out to someone - even if it was only temporary, part of a monthlong science experiment at the University of Pittsburgh.