Brain/Machine Interfaces Approaching Usefulness

Gary writes with a link to a Wired article about a brain-machine interface that may eventually have practical purposes. Though right now it simply allows a user to move a train on a track by performing math in their head, someday it may result in more serious applications. "Honda, whose interface monitors the brain with an MRI machine like those used in hospitals, is keen to apply the interface to intelligent, next-generation automobiles. The technology could one day replace remote controls and keyboards and perhaps help disabled people operate electric wheelchairs, beds or artificial limbs. Initial uses would be helping people with paralyzing diseases communicate even after they have lost all control of their muscles. Since 2005, Hitachi has sold a device based on optical topography that monitors brain activity in paralyzed patients so they can answer simple questions - for example, by doing mental calculations to indicate 'yes' or thinking of nothing in particular to indicate 'no.'"

Comments

perfect interface?

[Profane MuthaFucka]

WTF is that about moving trains by doing math? That's not perfect, that's like school. This thing must have been invented by that ONE GUY who enjoyed doing the 144 long division problems for homework in the 4th grade. "Oh teacher, can I have ANOTHER set of math problems do do? I loved cramping my hand up writing numbers SO MUCH."

The rest of us recognized all that math busy work as deadly to the drive to learn and avoided that shit as much as we could.

Make a machine that moves trains by thinking about FUCKING. In and out, up and down. I don't care, as long as it's moving and it's wet. THAT would be the perfect brain interface.