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Matrix-Style Brain Interface Closer To Reality

atkulp writes "According to this Wired article, a private company, Cyberkinetics is seeking permission from the FDA to test a product called BrainGate that implants in the brain and can control actions on a computer. So far it works for monkeys and they'd like to see it as viable for quadriplegics and others in need. How soon until anyone can become the ultimate expansion card? Sign me up!"

15 of 567 comments (clear)

  1. screw the matrix by proj_2501 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I can get a remote-controlled monkey?!

    1. Re:screw the matrix by ArsonSmith · · Score: 5, Funny

      Imagine a beawulf cluster of US.

      --
      Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
    2. Re:screw the matrix by nih · · Score: 5, Funny
      --
      I'm a rabbit startled by the headlights of life :(
  2. Yes, but .. by Autonomous+Cowherder · · Score: 5, Funny

    .. will I be able to run Linux?

    1. Re:Yes, but .. by NeoThermic · · Score: 5, Funny

      Or a direct link to your brain got posted on slashdot...

      NeoThermic

      --
      Use my link above, or to view my server, NeoThermic.com
  3. Not exactly the Matrix by Orion442 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This would enable handicap people to control machines, not vice-versa. It would be killer for fighter pilots though...

    1. Re:Not exactly the Matrix by Lane.exe · · Score: 5, Funny
      It would be killer for fighter pilots though

      I thought so too, until I realised that the human brain has a tendency to wander. Sure, in the middle of aerial combat they'd be focused, but can you imagine what would happen in the case that some pilot is cruising along and thinks of his girlfriend back home? Yeah that's right... a very sharp climb into a stall.

      --
      IAALS.
    2. Re:Not exactly the Matrix by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      No, I think the plane would dump all of it's fuel. ;)

  4. Nice, they've got Matlab routines... by tcopeland · · Score: 5, Informative

    ...for processing the data from the microelectrode arrays.

    Yes, the above link goes to another web site called "bionictech.com", but the two companies merged in 2002.

  5. Ugh... by ManicGiraffe · · Score: 5, Funny

    So....imagine a Beowulf cluster of *me*!

    [rimshot...]

  6. No M$ for mine... by BitWarrior · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm game as long as it's not controlled by Windows. I can see it now, it's the ultimate experience in VR except for the minor annoyance of crashing and killing the connected users after a few days.

  7. I'd love one. by nate1138 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    My biggest complaint about computing is that my brain->computer interface (hands to keyboard that is) is VERY low bandwidth and VERY high latency. And I know I can't be the only one that has this problem. Anybody that codes knows what I mean, you can visualize and solve the problem in your head much faster than you can get that solution into the computer.

    --
    Where's my lobbyist? Right here.
  8. Re:Not like The Matrix at all by SpyPlane · · Score: 5, Funny

    If it can get information from my brain, can I finally prove to my wife that I have no f-ing clue what she is talking about most of the time, or that I REALLY don't care where we go eat friday!

    Let me know.

    --
    "We need a fourth law of Robotics: Stop Fingering My Wife"
  9. Re:qu4k3??? w4r cr4f7???/ by Deraj+DeZine · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I would imagine that there would probably be separate arenas/competitions for physical-interface games and (not sure what the word is) neural-interface games. Just because, like the top-level poster said, it would generate an unfair advantage.

    Frankly, I'd prefer to see neural-interface match-ups because then the games become less of a matter of how well you can properly wield a mouse, but it relies more on strategy. Presumably, all the characters would have the same "physical" (in the game) abilities, so it would be up to the players' strategies and luck to determine who would win.

    --
    True story.
  10. Wow. by adun · · Score: 5, Funny

    Gives the phrase Blue Screen of Death a whole new lease on terror, doesn't it?