The first kick in World Cup will be made by a paralyzed man wearing a robotic exoskeleton suit controlled by impulses through the brain. 

Brazilian Doctor Miguel Nicolelis along with 150 scientist around the world have created the exoskeleton designed to allow people suffering from paralysis to walk. Now a paralyzed man, who's identity has remained secret, will unveil the suit during the opening to the World Cup. 

The suit works by relaying electric signals from the device's feet, to an artificial skin worn on the arm, giving the wearer a sensation of touch 

"It's the first time an exoskeleton has been controlled by brain activity and offered feedback to the patients," Nicolelis, told AFP. "Doing a demonstration in a stadium is something very much outside our routine in robotics. It's never been done before." 

Nicolelis was approached by the Brazilian government who wanted ways to showcase Brazil in ways the rest of the world doesn't normally perceive them. The device has been thirty years in the making and represents a culmination of Nicolelis's life work.  The team has been working tirelessly since they arrived in Rio, and the first steps taken by the paralyzed man happened as recently as April 24th. 

Some criticize Nicolelis for using the opportunity to showboat, using a disproportionate amount of Brazil's research money for the project. A claim Nicolelis fervently denies, saying, "The funding is the same with or without the World Cup. We've received $14 million from the Brazilian government over the last two years. That's approximately four or five times less than what the United States government invests in a mechanical arm,"

The device, named the BRA Santos-Dumont after the sporting code for Brazil and famous Brazilian inventor Santos Dumont, will be taking its first public steps while being watched by over a billion people world wide.