Scientists Connect Human Brain To Computer Wirelessly For First Time Ever (thenextweb.com) 18
"Scientists have demonstrated the first human use of a wireless brain-computer interface, a potential breakthrough for people with paralysis," reports The Next Web (in a story shared by Slashdot reader Hmmmmmm):
While traditional BCIs are tethered to users via cables, the new system — called BrainGate — replaces the cords with a small transmitter affixed atop a users' head. The unit then connects to an electrode array implanted in the brain's motor cortex. In a clinical trial, two participants with paralysis used the system to point, click, and type on a standard tablet computer. They both achieved similar typing speeds and point-and-click accuracy as those attained with wired systems.
The researchers say it's the first time a device has transmitted the full spectrum of signals recorded by a sensor in the brain's motor cortex.
The researchers say it's the first time a device has transmitted the full spectrum of signals recorded by a sensor in the brain's motor cortex.
BrainGate = Utah Array (Score:3)
It's a pretty primitive piece of technology [slashdot.org], but it has the advantage of having been worked on for ages.
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No thanks. (Score:5, Funny)
I don't want blue teeth.
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Ya, but the internet is for pron...
Now I can stream Spotify (Score:3)
Helm of +1 intelligence (Score:2)
sudo apt update (Score:2)
sudo apt upgrade
and if needed. a quick
sudo reboot
Mecha (Score:2)
Now all we need is for someone to invent a Mecha with a dexterous hand.
My understanding of the problem is (Score:4, Interesting)
Your brain is like a blob of Jello that hasn't adhered to the bowl that is containing it. It jiggles, it wobbles, etc. For the usual small stuff, that doesn't matter because all the connections have a bit of slack and stretch to them.
A hardwired interface to the brain is like drilling holes in the bowl and sticking little knives through. Every time the Jello moves, it gets sliced up a bit more. For brains, this is a very bad thing. And we're not very good at making delicate stretchy leads to connect to bits of brain, we're still making 'knives'.
So a wireless interface means that problem goes away at the large scale, though it probably still applies at the connection site to some much, much smaller degree.
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It works with some things, like cochlear implants: Those are embedded in a bony channel. Brain stem implants also work for auditory signals, but they also have a bit of slack in the platinum wire bundle inserted into the brainstem. And no, they don't slice up the brain.
It's also been tried for the human retina with a paralyzed eye, but it did not work well.
So you want to know what the Matrix is: (Score:1)
Soon... (Score:2)
Human brains are so... Organic. Wake me up when Scientists Connect an AI Brain To Computer Wirelessly For First Time Ever!
Still surgical implantation (Score:2)
When I saw the headline, I thought that is this was one of the results of the DARPA N3 program [darpa.mil], which is working toward non-surgical, non-invasive brain-computer interfaces. This is super cool stuff!
Disclaimer: I'm on the one of the teams working on the read side of the interface.
Sure, they can type and click (Score:2)
MEMS, Smart Dust, Zombie remote control (Score:1)