BrainPort Allows People To Reclaim Damaged Senses 216
Karma Star writes "There is a news article on a new device called a BrainPort, which is special device that
is worn like a helmet, with a strip of tape containing an array of 144 microelectrodes
hanging off the headset which is placed on the tongue. The BrainPort then sends signals
to the tongue which are then picked up by the brain, allowing the user to regain otherwise
lost sensory input.
More at the NY Times
(soul stealing subscription required)."
Good technology looking for a home? (Score:3, Insightful)
Pilots confused by foggy conditions, in which the horizon disappears, can right their aircraft by monitoring sensations on the tongue or trunk. Surgeons can feel on their tongues the tip of a probe inside a patient's body, enabling precise movements
Sounds to me like an able bodied pilot or surgeon could just use the senses they already use. The pilot could still use the visual readout of the artificial horizon for example.
Is this really destined for common usage?
Sensory Prosthetics (Score:4, Insightful)
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Already exists (Score:1, Insightful)
Holy crap...I will never ever test a battery that way again.
the IP perspective (Score:4, Insightful)
Bear in mind that the good professor was supported by public money to do this research and the Univ. of Wisconsin similarly is state funded.
It seems just plain obvious to me that this research belongs to those who paid for it -- the public.
The idea that a university takes public money to use as venture capital with intent to profit is repulsive. Of course, it happens all the time in those branches of academe which connect to marketable products. But that doesn't make it right.
Eyes in the back of the head? (Score:3, Insightful)
Will the brain be able to interpret the forward and rearward vision simultaneously? Would a person be able to develop 360' vision? Even if not, I'd still like to have my own "rear view mirror" :)
There could be a huge market in wedgie prevention. :)
Re:the IP perspective (Score:2, Insightful)
"The public" as a whole does not benefit from this product - individuals do. Likewise, the public as a whole does not manufacture it, sell it, buy it, repair it, or improve it.
I don't know what the policies of the University of Wisconsin are, but it's likely they'll be getting some royalty payments out of this since they have a patent.
Yes, there is a problem with the state taking money to run schools (except military academies), but objecting to commercial research is unrealistic.
Re:the IP perspective (Score:3, Insightful)
None of the above. The research is public and should be freely available to anybody. If somebody wants to make a product and sell it, fine. No patent protection on publically funded research.
I think companies could make money this way if their product is good enough and, of course, they can sell "support" (sound familiar).