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Scientists Develop Cyborg Interface Algorithm
StCredZero writes "A ZDNet article discusses advances in the translation of brain activity to electronic control being made at MIT. Their approach allows a paralyzed individual to manipulate a prosthetic - but that's not the important advance. 'Other scientists have already done that, and built prototypes for neural brain-to-machine devices that can work for animals or humans. But each team has taken a different approach to the problem, such as developing algorithms for measuring activity in a specific brain region, or measuring them through EEGs vs. optical imaging. MIT said that it has developed a unified algorithm that can work within the parameters of these different approaches. Lakshminarayan "Ram" Srinivasan, lead author of a paper on the subject, said MIT's new graphical models are applicable no matter what measurement technique is used. "We don't need to reinvent a new paradigm for each modality or brain region," he said in a statement.'"
Manufactures BrainGate, a device which Slashdot has reported on multiple times in years past. Trades as CYKN or CYKN.OB on the pink sheets. Currently at historical lows. Look into it if you want a nice deal.
Murphy, is that you in there?
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order." -Ed H
The mouse and keyboard would no longer be needed. You would likely be able to interface with computers much faster as well allowing people to get more work done in a day, but at the possible cost of less motion needed. People with a chip in their head could possibly work from their bed, with just a screen on the ceiling. Advances in robotics will allow robot servants. They already have toy versions of these. Laziness is already a problem, and it will only grow as people have to do less and less. I know it's still a long way in the making, and I can't wait for things like this to become mainstream, but also fear it a little.
Someone save me from this sanity.
Actually, it's pretty funny you bring that up, as there's a Ghost In The Shell episode in which this very sort of situation occurs.
A man with cybernetic limbs shoots and kills a woman. During the court trials, his defense lawyer (highly experienced with defending people with cybernetic prosthetics) says that the defendant wasn't used to his newly upgraded/installed cybernetic body parts (and the new control software for them) and thus fired the gun unintentionally.
When I saw this episode, it was a bit of a shock to consider those kinds of situations where the natural self-control we take for granted could potentially no longer be in place, if we were to start to rely on technology to take the place of our physical bodies...
It's not really being applied to that yet though. At the moment it's still just the promise of something on the horizon. I suspect the parent was just tired of too much hype with too little real world application.
Everything will be taken away from you.
Why are you waughing? I have a very close fweind named Biggus Dickus.
I demand that you stop waughing!
Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.