The team behind the brain-controlled suit that helped a paraplegic kick a football at the World Cup opening ceremony defended itself Saturday against critics who said the demonstration was underwhelming. In the buildup to Thursdays opening, much fanfare surrounded the project led by Brazilian neuroscientist Miguel Nicolelis and meant to showcase Brazils scientific and technological achievements. The Brazilian governments World Cup website had tantalized visitors imaginations with a description of how the robotic exoskeleton would enable a paralyzed person to stand up from his wheelchair, walk for around 25 meters (yards) on the pitch and make the first kick of the World Cup. In reality, the demonstration was somewhat less spectacular.
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