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Brain-Implanted Chips Allow Control of Technology 277
Nilchii writes "The Guardian has an article about implanting electrodes in the brain, allowing paralyzed people to control various software-integrated devices, such as the cursor on a computer and the channel and volume of his television. From the article: 'The experiment took place a few months ago as part of a broader trial into what are known in the business as brain-computer interfaces. Although it is early days, aficionados of the technology see a world where brain implants return ability to those with disability, allowing them to control all manner of devices by thought alone.'" The BBC has coverage of this as well, and we've mentioned this research before.
Well (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Well (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Well (Score:3)
Human Interface (Score:2)
Re:Well (Score:2)
Thank you, I'm here all weekend.
Re:Well (Score:2)
I wanna be... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:I wanna be... (Score:2)
Re:I wanna be... (Score:2)
You can call yourself Jeannie Mnemonic.
Hmmm... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Hmmm... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Hmmm... (Score:2, Funny)
Two more words: The Matrix
I'm quite sure no one else thought of that parallel. Dang, I'm so original.
hmm (Score:5, Funny)
Rather than the TV volume... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Rather than the TV volume... (Score:2)
Re:Rather than the TV volume... (Score:2)
Re:Rather than the TV volume... (Score:2, Interesting)
then
Which is an extreme simplification of the process, but
Re:Rather than the TV volume... (Score:5, Funny)
But, on a more practical side... This process is obviously far from perfect. If the whole thing went crazy, the worst thing would be having your TV stuck on the spanish channel at full blast
On the other hand, with a robot arm, some serious bodily injury could occur. Even a weak arm could have enough strength to poke your eye out. If somebody was using their fancy arm to slice a tomato, one slip could prove fatal.
Still, I suspect that this will be eventually done if this technique works. But it will take time, lots of legal waivers, and a lot of insurance.
Re:Rather than the TV volume... (Score:2)
That's the whole f'n point of the article. Go read it instead of posting stupid questions.
Re:Rather than the TV volume... (Score:2)
Because even if they did, some people still wouldn't RTFA.
From the first two paragraphs of TFA:
Re:Rather than the TV volume... (Score:2)
Re:Rather than the TV volume... (Score:2)
Re:Rather than the TV volume... (Score:2)
Re:Rather than the TV volume... (Score:3, Interesting)
With respect to having it control prosthetics, the robot arm is the easy part. The hard part is feedback. This is already well-known from prosthetic arms controlled with other signals. The arm input signal isn't so hard, but humans lose a lot of capability without feedback, and
remote control future? (Score:2, Interesting)
I have a dream...
or will this turn on about anything at the press of a finger? seems scary
Re:remote control future? (Score:2, Interesting)
It's interesting that you mention dreams. How many people fall asleep while watching TV; moreover: how many people have lucid dreams wherein they're interacting with daily objects?
"I had this dream where I just kept flipping channels, but on the coffeemaker, and the washing machine became a monster, so I turned on the sprinkler system to short it out..." R.E.M.- but for user input of actual devices? Sounds like the first priority is detecting levels of conciousness so that they're awar
DRM out of control (Score:5, Funny)
When I first read the headline I thought to myself "Man, this DRM crap is really getting out of hand..."
Re:DRM out of control (Score:3, Funny)
I mean, dietary fibre is a good thing, but these health nuts are just going to far when they mess with the noble chip!
Re:DRM out of control (Score:2)
I have a feeling... (Score:2, Interesting)
That's just great (Score:5, Funny)
What I want... (Score:2)
Yes! I'm talking to you.
They need instruments on the thalamus. (Score:2, Interesting)
Real World Application ??? (Score:3, Insightful)
Magnetic Deep Brain stim studies (Score:2, Informative)
There's also some companies that are looking into ways to lessen the amount of invasive procedures, but as of yet they're not mainstream AFAIK.
http://www.neurotechreports.com/pages/neurosurgery .html [neurotechreports.com]
From TFA:
"In January, Stereotaxis received FDA approval for i
This is just screaming for it..... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:This is just screaming for it..... (Score:2)
The major problem with this ... (Score:5, Insightful)
--
Want a free Nintendo DS, GC, PS2, Xbox. [freegamingsystems.com] (you only need 4 referrals)
Wired article as proof [wired.com]
5% (Score:2)
Announced last week major electronic manufactures have announced the new brain controlled televisions and cable.
Though a spokesman one company said there're would some diffculties for the public in general since it's a known law of physics that one must by at least 5% smarter than the device that one is trying to use. He did comment one postitive note that the general stupidity of people everywhere would not hamper the roll out of the lastest brain controled toaster
Re:5% (Score:2)
I see you are having difficulty making ego's would you like some help with your new toaster.
Firefox: MiG-31 browser plugin? (Score:2)
With apologies to Craig Thomas and Clint Eastwood.
Reminds me of a book (Score:2)
In the future, brain implants argment humans with with physical impairments to the point where their extended mental abilities far outreach their physical limitations. Of course, only the rich can afford the best technology, but hackers acquire black-market implants to keep up. Eventually a rogue virus threatens everyone, as simply seeing a trigger for the virus when your firmware is enabled can infect you...
and in other news (Score:2)
Neural Circuits (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Neural Circuits (Score:2)
Re:Neural Circuits (Score:2)
How would that make you any more neurotic than moving a mouse, or using a biofeedback device?
If you ask me, people in todays society are more equipped than ever before to handle this sort of thing mentally.
Re:Neural Circuits (Score:2)
Re:Feedback is possible. (Score:2)
Questions??? (Score:5, Funny)
Imagine a Beowolf cluster of people???
Re:Questions??? (Score:2)
I thought it. Bored now.
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Questions??? (Score:2)
Broader Implications (Score:2)
Why is this thought of only in terms of those with disability? I'm sure there are plenty of other people would love having the device implanted for other purposes altogether.
As soon as someone figures out a way to create an optical overlay via a direct neural interface, I'm sure everyone who ever seriously dreamed of living in virtual reality will jump on this in a heartbeat.
Though, ho
Re:Broader Implications (Score:2)
is it just for paralyzed people? (Score:2, Interesting)
Better Idea? (Score:2)
Being use to controlling your body your entire life, then one day getting into, for example, a car accident and becoming paralysed... The realization of not being able to control your body has got to be immense. I mean, total loss of most/all physical control...unreal.
My brain's wired to MS Windows... (Score:3, Funny)
Hold on...I've just been given a list of servers I need to attack...BRB
Matrix anyone? (Score:2, Interesting)
You know who else created this technology? (Score:2)
Seriously, I think with implanted chips in the brain and the internet, could be be getting close to an ability to "google" information and have it implanted directly into our brain. A novel for instance, or even how to do something. Is there a possibility in the future school from Pre-k to college can be downloaded in a few minutes into an 18 year old?
Quake by mental control (Score:2)
Brain machine interfaces - a story (Score:2)
The part i liked the most about his story was the ultra-fast typing. Mix this with display-integrated glasses and a telecomm. Ta-da! You got text-based telepathy! Cyborgs, anyone?
It's okay, they're handicapped (Score:5, Interesting)
"It's okay, they're handicapped. It's all we can do for them."
Step 2) Put chips in normal people to monitor health hazards
"It's important that we know if granny is in trouble."
Step 3) Diseases and illnesses like SARS can be stopped in their tracks with these chips
"We have to use these chips to protect ourselves. Everyone else is doing it and they are fine."
Step 4) We can now use these to detect terrorists by watching for dangerous thought formations.
"It's the only way we can stop them. It must be done."
Step 5) The line between terrorist and criminal is blurred and it's used to stop criminals.
"We might as well do it with criminals since we are already doing it with terrorists."
Step 6) These thought-forms can be prevented entirely.
"If terrorist and criminal thoughts are stopped from the git-go, it will be a utopia. The end of crime forever!"
Step 7) All unwanted thoughts are filtered out
"You have to pay a price for freedom. I am okay with slavery. We need it to be safe. What would you like me to do today?"
See a problem here?!?
Re:It's okay, they're handicapped (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:It's okay, they're handicapped (Score:2)
Yeah, you forgot step 8: Profit!!!
Re:It's okay, they're handicapped (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:It's okay, they're handicapped (Score:5, Informative)
The only problem I see is your use of the Slippery Slope Logical Fallacy [nizkor.org]
More links and information (Score:3, Informative)
The article does a great job surveying some of the major players in the field. I think all of the cited researchers have received grants from the NIH Neural Prosthesis Program [nih.gov].
As mentioned in the article, BCI research is proceeding along invasive, intra-cortical lines as well as more data-processing intensive EEG-based approaches. The latter methods affix EEG leads on the scalp, record brain waves, and employ powerful computer methods to decipher the results. Noise is a problem, so researchers have embraced the more invasive approach of implanting chips directly into the brain. That's what Cyberkinetics [cyberkineticsinc.com] and Neural Signals [neuralsignals.com] are doing.
The Lab of Brain-Computer Interfaces, Technical University of Graz, [tu-graz.ac.at] has an active group researching BCI, both through EEG and implanted electrodes. I'm surprised they don't get more press. There's also interesting work going on at Anderson's Caltech lab using the posterior parietal cortex, which might have some advantages. Check out the nice slide show on their research [caltech.edu].
Great idea, at least until... (Score:3, Funny)
Beta Testers Needed! (Score:2, Funny)
Applicant: Well, I'm an avid slashdot reader...
Interviewer: Yes, you'll do nicely. To report a bug, just twich randomly and piss yourself.
This was also in Wired... (Score:2, Interesting)
Wired Story [wired.com]
Wired seemed to stress the opinion of other scientists in the same field, that this research was 'premature' and disaster could bring public outrage and set back (American) research a good ten years.
The thing is, Matt Nagle was a willing volunteer; he's an adult who can comprehend the risks involved in this procedure, and if he's injured, one can't say that it's unexpected. If this niche industry is destroyed when somebody is hurt and this whole chance for mobility gets tossed back like U.
Think Shortcuts (Score:5, Funny)
How about auto-completing my thoughts?
Me: Computer, stop comp...
Computer:
Me: You're driving...
Computer:
Me: control-alt-delete!
Computer: atl-F4
Me: control-alt-delete!
Computer: atl-F4
Me: Why you little...
Computer: Yes, Dave?
nope (Score:2)
Then crash.
a small correction? (Score:2)
allowing them to control all manner of devices by thought alone
I think it's not control by thought as in science fiction; in other words, it's not that the user thinks about 'move cursor up' and the cursor moves up. It's about using signals emitted from the brain to control a device.
Oh thats just great... (Score:2, Funny)
DRM (Score:2)
I for one (Score:2)
Military applications (Score:2)
Re:Works in reverse (Score:5, Funny)
Seizures (Score:5, Interesting)
Sorry I don't have any links on this, I saw it on Discovery channel a few years ago.
Depression too. (Score:2)
Re:Works in reverse (Score:3, Funny)
For example, my brain controls my left index finger with astonishing precision, but how long will it be for my finger to start controlling my thoughts?
(valid response: As soon as you put it in a garbage disposal)
Re:Works in reverse (Score:2)
Re:Works in reverse (Score:5, Interesting)
In fact, controlling robotic limbs will be much easier once the communication goes both ways. Most of what you think your brain "knows" about your body was learned entirely from peripheral nervous system feedback.
Re:Works in reverse (Score:2, Insightful)
I can see that we may be able to artificially send brain like signals to limbs/robotic devices and that could be very useful. Also, I can imagine that finding ways to use "real" signals from the brain to control things could be even more useful. Bu
Re:Works in reverse (Score:4, Insightful)
Certain situations already cause similar behavior. When a person becomes blind, the part of the brain devoted to visual processing starts taking input from other parts (especially the hands, since they are absolutely loaded with touch receptors). The situation is not identitical to getting feedback from prosthetic limbs, but it does show that parts of the brain can take unfamiliar inputs and figure out what to do with them.
We could just be debating the semantics of the word "control" here. I imagine many people see it as forcing the brain to take a particular action. Although this is probably possible, it also probably isn't desirable. For instance, it would be monumentally difficult to inject a probe into a person's brain and trigger it to get them to raise their hand. This is because it takes a massive amount of motor coordination to get the hand to raise smoothly and subsequently remain in the air, and the probe would produce an unnatural, Frankenstein-like motion.
Instead of trying to force the arm up, it's easier just to ask someone to raise their arm. You are controlling their brain by activating their auditory processing cortex, which leads to them interpreting and understanding your request, then firing off systems in the motor cortex that get routed through the cerebellum to lift their arm and hold it there. More effective than a probe, and easier, too!
We do have RoboRats [nationalgeographic.com]. Note that the rats are not "forced" in a certain direction, but actually trained to respond to mild electrical stimulus to the "whisker processing" center of their brains that is enforced by stimulating their pleasure centers. Even remotely controlling a rat, it's far easier to provide minimal feedback and let the brain do the bulk of the processing.
Re:Works in reverse (Score:3, Funny)
*puts on tinfoil hat*
Re:Works in reverse (Score:2)
Re:Works in reverse (Score:2, Insightful)
Remote Controlled Cockroaches
http://www.wireheading.com/roboroach/ [wireheading.com]
Remote Controlled Rats
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/05/0
Re:Works in reverse (Score:4, Insightful)
I have a question: Are you seriously concerned about this, or where you secretly hoping for a cheap 'Insightful' mod?
Re:Works in reverse (Score:2)
Re:Transhumanism (Score:5, Interesting)
Cyborgs and, ultimetly, robots are the future of humanity.
Sure, these "features" (brain controlled computing) will initially be for the disabled, but how long before it becomes acceptable in the general populace to get these modifactions? People will begin seeing them as everyday occurances, and then we will know we've reached the next level.
Re:Transhumanism (Score:2)
Evolution (Score:2, Insightful)
I think it would be better put that we cannot evolve anymore. That's the whole point of civilization. As soon as people start working together, evoltion stops. The weak (like the handicapped people we're building implants for) are protected/supported by the strong (those of us with working bodies.)
It works intellectually as well as physically, ie the smart raise up the stupid. We don't all have to discover our own vaccines....
I personally see genetics as
Welcome (Score:3, Funny)
Welcome to slashdot. You'll fit in nicely.
Re:Government will soon be able to plug in directl (Score:2)
Take that BushHating hat off. 3 yrs from now, he won't be having a field day about anything.
Re:About this... (Score:2)
Babies thrash their limbs around for a while. It takes them a couple of months to learn to even grasp at an object.
So the chip "figures out" absolutely nothing. The brain learns to "figure out" the chip.
Both computer and human side adapt (Score:2)
I don't think it's as clear cut as that. Sure, there's a lot of plasticity on the human side. These devices don't just get implanted, turned on, and voila -- artificial limbs are moving. There's a long training period for humans to adapt and get the most benefit. But if you attach a neural sensor to a computer, there's the ability to apply sophisticated signal processing and pattern recognition techniques to the output
Be careful what you sish for (Score:2, Funny)
I don't want the instruments anywhere near my brain after the surgeon thinks about what an ass his boss is.
It would work perfectly (Score:2, Funny)
Then, we just wait to see the string "iwanttolive" or "iwanttodie" or something meaningful to appear. ("hi" at the very least would be likely to appear during the first 1352=26*26*2 letters entered randomly (ignoring other characters).
Thank you (Score:2)