This week is dedicated to the brain-computer interface, or BCI. For some time now, sci-fi movies and TV series have presented the idea of a mind-to-computer interface that controls technology, retrieves information and displays it on virtual screens. Meanwhile, in the background, a number of companies have been working on this and the technology is close to realising some of the outcomes only seen in fiction so far.
- The concept is not a new one. I've seen experiments from many years ago where a test subject moved a pointer around on a screen using a passive interface. These days, there are many places like the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center conducting experiments with implanted chips. Around the time Covid-19 popped up, one test subject, Nathan Copeland -- paralysed from the waist down -- took home an advanced brain-computer interface device that allows him to control on-screen actions using only his mind. This device uses a multi-electrode array chip that was implanted inside him in 2015 to control a robotic arm that allows him to play computer games, including supporting the fine motor control required to play complex games like Final Fantasy XIV.
- The game developer Valve has also put a lot of effort into this technology over the past few years but with a passive, rather than an implanted, interface. Valve halted production of their next generation of virtual goggles to investigate this further. According to studio president Gabe Newell: "We're way closer to The Matrix than people realise." In practical terms, the goal is to have a headset where the controls are directed by the wearer's mind. Neurable, a start-up gaming company, already had such a device back in 2017 that could control an escape game using sensors in a cap and a Vive virtual reality headset. That company has since moved onto military applications but the technology still remains for the gaming market.
- In the case of Nathan Copeland, the signals don't just go in one direction. Sensors in the arm also trigger responses like tingling, pressure, warmth, tapping and vibrations -- elements of the sense of touch. However, this has also raised questions and ethical concerns. Could you stimulate a craving, or addiction, or a preference so that your behaviour could be modified? Any game manufacturer's marketing and sales departments would love it if their products became addictive, no matter what disclaimers they might publish. Imagine for example getting positive physical feedback, triggered directly by the game, for each level you pass or win. There are already people spending thousands of dollars for levelling up in games like Genshin Impact without that direct link. Add physical feedback to the equation and you can see where this might lead. Now, add in the sharing of this data with a corporation like Google and this technology potentially starts to get scary.
- Will there be principles on the permissible use and misuse of neurotechnology and user rights? Typically, government policy lags technology, so the creation of a technological bill of rights will be well behind the potential misuse. I'd be happy to start with a basic on/off switch for data transmission to an outside entity like Google.
- Personally, I'm waiting for the neurofeedback device from Mendi that I signed up for on the equivalent of Kickstarter. It is a passive device that is billed to improve mental well-being, performance and overall health via "brain enhancement training" at home. I'll let you know how it goes when I get it.
- Elon Musk recently revealed that his Neuralink brain implant has been successfully implanted in a monkey's brain allowing it to play video games. Musk also claimed that he's not an unhappy monkey and that a US Department of Agriculture representative sent to check the facility said it was the nicest she'd seen in her entire career. So happy monkey aside, the aim of the Neuralink is to improve and speed up human-machine communication. Musk pointed out that the bandwidth between your cortex and your smartphone is slow. He estimates a direct connection would speed things up by a factor of 1,000 orders of magnitude -- a lot. If two people had a Neuralink, it might even be like telepathy because of the compressed exchange. "Sort of like a Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires that go to your brain," he added, before promising more updates in a couple of months.
- To end the article this week, we have some artificial intelligence news. Samsung is planning to test an autonomous ship in August this year. The 133m-long, 9,200 tonne training vessel will make a five-and-a-half hour trip under automation. The aim is to sell automation kits for ships by 2022. What could possibly go wrong with a 200,000 tonne vessel under computer-only control? Back in South Korea, Hyundai and Kai have announced that despite the rumours, they are not working on an Apple car.
Originally posted here:
The benefits and risks of neural interfaces - Bangkok Post
- Systems-Based Neurotechnology for Emerging Therapies (SUBNETS) - December 8th, 2016 [December 8th, 2016]
- Backing British innovation: Royal Academy of Engineering launches ... - Elite Business Magazine - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Global Fingerprint Biometrics in the VAR Market 2016 Fulcrum Biometrics, Neurotechnology, 360 Biometrics ... - Albanian Times - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Israel and Indiana: Why You're Getting an Invitation to the Holy Land ... - 93.1 WIBC Indianapolis - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- 5th Annual Big Idea Competition Nets Three Winners Colorado ... - Colorado College News - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- 3Q: US Patent Office's Ruling on CRISPR - Bioscience Technology - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- 7 reasons you must attend WIRED Health 2017 - Wired.co.uk - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Edward Boyden - Big Think - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- What Health Care Can Learn from Wal-Mart - Wall Street Journal (subscription) (blog) - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]
- A report released today by RBC Capital Markets about Stryker Corporation (NYSE:SYK) ups the target price to $135.00 - Breaking Finance News - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]
- Paralysis patients achieve fastest typing yet with new brain-computer interface - The Brown Daily Herald - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- How 'brain wearables' can address 21st century needs - IoT Tech News - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Stryker's AVAflex Vertebral Balloon System Receives FDA 510(k ... - OrthoSpineNews - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Stryker's Spine Division To Feature Novel 3D-Printed Spinal Implants at AAOS Conference - OrthoSpineNews - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- Stryker's Spine division to exhibit key technologies at AAOS 2017 - Yahoo Finance - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- Stryker Corporation named one of Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For for seventh consecutive year - Yahoo Finance - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- How to ensure future brain technologies will help and not harm society - USAPP American Politics and Policy (blog) - March 10th, 2017 [March 10th, 2017]
- Preview: MedX Future of Healthcare conference - The Mancunion - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Stryker's Spine division to exhibit key technologies at AAOS 2017 - OrthoSpineNews - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Elon Musk Wants to Merge Man and MachineHere's What He'll ... - Observer - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Synchron Inc. Secures $10 Million in Series A Financing Round - PR Newswire (press release) - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- How Neurotechnology Is Helping The San Francisco Giants Train Better - PSFK (subscription) - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Positive Media Coverage Very Likely to Affect Stryker (SYK) Share Price - Chaffey Breeze - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Shoosmiths advises PD Neurotechnology on 1.34m investment - Scottish Legal News - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Shoosmiths advises PD Neurotechnology on 1.34m (EUR) investment - Shoosmiths legal updates (press release) - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Comparing Accuray (ARAY) & Stryker (SYK) - The Cerbat Gem - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Welch Capital Partners Increased By $3.59 Million Its Eqt (EQT) Position, Stryker (SYK) Sellers Decreased By 3.59 ... - UtahHerald.com - June 10th, 2017 [June 10th, 2017]
- Head to Head Analysis: Accuray (ARAY) and Stryker Corporation (SYK) - Sports Perspectives - June 13th, 2017 [June 13th, 2017]
- Neurotechnology Announces MegaMatcher Accelerator Extreme ... - findBIOMETRICS - June 13th, 2017 [June 13th, 2017]
- Comparing Stryker Corporation (SYK) & Accuray (ARAY) - Markets Daily - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Neurotechnology Releases MegaMatcher Accelerator Extreme, the Fastest Biometric Engine in the World - PR Newswire (press release) - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Neurotech panel shares successes from first year - Cornell Chronicle - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Neurotechnology Researchers Win Kaggle Competition with Deep Neural Network Solution for The Nature ... - PR Newswire (press release) - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Neurotechnology Wins Fisheries-Focused Computer Vision Competition - findBIOMETRICS - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Helping or Hacking? Engineers, Ethicists Must Work Together on Brain-Computer Interface Technology - Government Technology - June 16th, 2017 [June 16th, 2017]
- Accuray (ARAY) versus Stryker Corporation (SYK) Head-To-Head Review - The Cerbat Gem - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]
- The Funded: Justin Kan's latest startup gets backing from more than 100 investors - Silicon Valley Business Journal - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]
- New SentiVeillance Server from Neurotechnology Adds Face Recognition and Analytics to Video Management Systems - PR Newswire (press release) - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Neurotechnology Announces SentiVeillance Server Facial Recognition Solution - findBIOMETRICS - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- SentiVeillance Server - Face Recognition and Analytics to Video Management Systems - Officer.com (press release) (registration) (blog) - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- Neurotechnology Announces MegaMatcher 10 - findBIOMETRICS - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- Neurotechnology adds face recognition, tracking to video surveillance systems; researchers win competition - Biometric Update - June 22nd, 2017 [June 22nd, 2017]
- Neurotechnology makes a number of updates to the MegaMatcher product line - Biometric Update - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]
- Neurotechnology Develops 3D Printing Method with Non-Contact Ultrasonic Manipulation Technology - 3DPrint.com - June 26th, 2017 [June 26th, 2017]
- Mind-blowing ultrasonic 'printer' uses lasers and high-frequency sound to assemble electronics - Digital Trends - June 29th, 2017 [June 29th, 2017]
- HIRREM Neurotechnology Better Than Placebo for Insomnia - Sleep Review - July 10th, 2017 [July 10th, 2017]
- DARPA invests further in neurotechnology - SD Times - SDTimes.com - July 14th, 2017 [July 14th, 2017]
- Infinitely Flexible 3D Printing with Ultrasonic Manipulation? - ENGINEERING.com - July 15th, 2017 [July 15th, 2017]
- Insider Activity Stryker Corporation (NYSE:SYK) - Highlight Press - July 16th, 2017 [July 16th, 2017]
- Comparing Uroplasty (UPI) and Stryker Corporation (NYSE:SYK) - The Cerbat Gem - July 17th, 2017 [July 17th, 2017]
- Biomimetic Underwater Robot Program - July 17th, 2017 [July 17th, 2017]
- Preserving the Right to Cognitive Liberty - Scientific American - July 18th, 2017 [July 18th, 2017]
- BRAIN center gathers to ponder future, direction - Arizona State University - July 20th, 2017 [July 20th, 2017]
- Stryker Expands Its Interventional Spine Segment - Market Realist - July 22nd, 2017 [July 22nd, 2017]
- Trivascular Technologies (TRIV) & Stryker Corporation (SYK) Critical Review - Stock Observer - July 26th, 2017 [July 26th, 2017]
- Arshya Vahabzadeh: Innovating at the Intersection of Brain ... - HuffPost - July 27th, 2017 [July 27th, 2017]
- fMRI and EEG May Be Able to Reveal Consciousness in Comatose Patients - Physical Therapy Products - July 29th, 2017 [July 29th, 2017]
- Stryker reports 6.1% Q2 growth, installs 26 Mako systems: 7 things to know - Becker's Orthopedic & Spine - July 29th, 2017 [July 29th, 2017]
- Tufts Hosts Engineering Conference - Tufts Now - July 29th, 2017 [July 29th, 2017]
- Stryker Corporation (NYSE:SYK) and Uroplasty (UPI) Financial Survey - Stock Observer - July 29th, 2017 [July 29th, 2017]
- Elon Musk speaks of being 'bipolar' on Twitter - Mashable - July 31st, 2017 [July 31st, 2017]
- Team Neurotechnology Innovations Translator - July 31st, 2017 [July 31st, 2017]
- Elon Musk opens up about the highs and lows of his life on Twitter - Firstpost - August 1st, 2017 [August 1st, 2017]
- Train your brain at Ky learning centre - Shepparton News - August 2nd, 2017 [August 2nd, 2017]
- Stryker Exceeded Analysts' Sales Estimates in 2Q17 - Market Realist - August 2nd, 2017 [August 2nd, 2017]
- $2.6 million to build versatile genetic toolkit for studying animal ... - Washington University in St. Louis Newsroom - August 3rd, 2017 [August 3rd, 2017]
- National Science Foundation $9M grant will fund neurotech research hub at Cornell - The Ithaca Voice - August 3rd, 2017 [August 3rd, 2017]
- NSF awards Cornell $9M grant for neurotech research hub - The Central New York Business Journal - August 4th, 2017 [August 4th, 2017]
- NSF issues awards to advance a national research infrastructure for neuroscience - National Science Foundation (press release) - August 4th, 2017 [August 4th, 2017]
- $9M Grant Will Create Neurotech Research Hub - Lansing Star - August 4th, 2017 [August 4th, 2017]
- NSF backs photonics-enabled neuroscience networks - Optics.org - August 9th, 2017 [August 9th, 2017]
- Washington University awarded $2.6 million for neurotechnology research - St. Louis Business Journal - August 9th, 2017 [August 9th, 2017]
- fMRI, EEG may detect consciousness in TBI patients - Medical Physics Web (subscription) - August 10th, 2017 [August 10th, 2017]
- Financial Analysis: Stryker Corporation (NYSE:SYK) vs. Uroplasty (UPI) - The Cerbat Gem - August 12th, 2017 [August 12th, 2017]
- In the Future, Humans Will Use Brain to Brain Communication and Download Their Memories If Elon Musk Has His Way - Newsweek - August 13th, 2017 [August 13th, 2017]
- How Elon Musk Plans to Turn Humans Into Robots - Yahoo News - August 14th, 2017 [August 14th, 2017]
- Critical Comparison: Stryker Corporation (SYK) versus Glaukos Corporation (GKOS) - TrueBlueTribune - August 21st, 2017 [August 21st, 2017]
- Early career scientists named Mong Fellows in Cornell Neurotech - Cornell Chronicle - August 21st, 2017 [August 21st, 2017]
- Could this back-pain device end need for opioids? - The Columbus Dispatch - August 21st, 2017 [August 21st, 2017]
- New technologies to diagnose and treat neurological diseases - Medical Xpress - August 22nd, 2017 [August 22nd, 2017]