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Brain/Machine Interfaces Approaching Usefulness

Posted by Zonk on from the working-brain-in-hand dept.

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.'"

7 of 129 comments (clear)

  1. Very Cool by phantomcircuit · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I'm looking forward to being able to write simply by thinking, typing slows me down soooo much.

  2. Captain Pike by Short+Circuit · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.'" I guess Captain Pike got stuck with an old model, dating all the way back to 2005...
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  3. What a coincidence! by rehtonAesoohC · · Score: 4, Funny

    My boss and I were just talking human-machine interfaces yesterday. He was relating to me how he had purchased some stock in a company that specializes in human-machine interface R&D. I wondered how they managed to map brain waves (or thoughts?) to instructions.

    Scientist: "Ok now to turn left just start thinking about any kind of cheese."
    *Patient starts spinning madly in a circle*
    Scientist: "HEY! You're thinking about my WIFE you bastard!"

  4. What if you are bad at math? by dfn5 · · Score: 4, Funny

    simply allows a user to move a train on a track by performing math in their head
    "Tonight at 11, 2 trains collide. Engineer says he forgot to carry the 1"
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    -- Thou hast strayed far from the path of the Avatar.
  5. What worries me... by Ghoser777 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    is what happens when you think something that you don't want to actually carry out? I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has random thoughts that enter their mind and then you dismiss and don't actually do anything with. How can you tell between idle thoughts and thoughts that are supposed to bring about actions?

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    James Tiberius Kirk: "Spock, the women on your planet are logical. No other planet in the galaxy can make that claim."
  6. Re:One day by moderatorrater · · Score: 4, Insightful

    In the future, computers will be seamless extensions of our will and using them will require no more thought than moving our own hands For some of us it's already like that.
  7. Cool! by Bluesman · · Score: 4, Funny

    A train of thought.

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