Photo/Illutration Masatane Muto, left on the screen, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, controls his computerized representation, right, with the help of sensors on his neck, arms and legs on Aug. 30 in Tokyo’s Minato Ward. Biological signals in his muscles are detected to prompt the avatar to raise both hands, although his actual limbs do not move. (Takahiro Takenouchi)

Having amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) won't stop disc jockey Masatane Muto from performing before an audience.

Technology is being developed to allow the biological signals in muscles to be detected, thereby enabling those with ALS, an intractable disorder characterized by the gradual weakening of muscles through the entire body, to freely move their limbs in a virtual reality space.

“I am really looking forward to being able to use my body after a long hiatus, dancing to music alongside spectators and clapping along,” said Muto, 36. “I want to overturn the stereotypical view that ALS patients can’t move their bodies.”

Working with Dentsu Lab Tokyo and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp., Muto is committing himself to a research project that is expected to make it possible for him to wield his graphical representation in the metaverse.

The computerized alter ego of Muto can be controlled at will by reading signals in the muscles in his arms, legs and neck via electromyography.

As part of the dream project, Muto presented his performance during a demonstration on Aug. 30 in the metaverse before reporters in Tokyo.

Muto played music and videos through his eye movements as a DJ. But he said it was too bad he couldn’t react to the ecstatic concertgoers, such as waving at them, due to his condition progressing.

In the recent test, Muto had electromyographic sensors applied to six spots on his neck and limbs.

Muto was instructed to “raise his hands” by an official in a different room and attempted to move his arms. His online representation then lifted and lowered his hands on the monitor.

However, the avatar failed to properly respond to a request to “try jumping,” though the electromyographic signals were successfully identified.

Despite that, Muto managed to shout “Exciting,” as it was generated from his eye movements and turned into auditory data via a voice reproduction feature.

With the help of six sensors, however, he can still walk and uplift the online audience with hand movements.

The developers are aiming to re-create a wider range of gestures after applying sensors to more areas.

On Sept. 8, Muto attended a fair of the latest technologies in Austria as a DJ avatar, lifting the spirits of onlookers at the venue with his alter ego operated via electromyography from Tokyo.

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