Group Actions
Engagement
  • Author Author: Catwell
  • Date Created: Date Created
  • Views 793 views
  • Likes 7 likes
  • Comments 3 comments
Related
Recommended

Neuralink Unveils Secretive Plans for Brain-Machine Interface

Catwell

image

Neuralink’s HMI uses ‘threads’ that are injected into the brain to tap into neuron activity, which can be read by machines, essentially understanding human thought. (Image credit: Pixabay)

 

Elon Musk recently unveiled the progress that’s been made with his neurotechnology company Neuralink and their endeavor in developing implantable brain-machine interfaces (BMIs). The company states that they are getting close to fielding human trials next year for their neuron-reading technology, which allows computers or other devices to ‘read’ human thoughts.

 

The BMI platform uses tiny sensors connected to flexible ‘threads’ smaller than a human hair (about 4 to 6 μm), which can be planted deep inside the brain. The system uses 1,000-times more electrodes than the leading FDA-approved device for Parkinson’s patients, meaning it’s capable of sending a higher volume of data. Neuralink has also designed a robot that can insert those threads via needles into the brain, while under the direction of a neurosurgeon.

 

image

The robotic electrode inserter implants the sensors directly into the brain without damaging any veins or surrounding tissue. (Image credit: Neuralink)

 

According to a white paper from Neuralink entitled “An integrated brain-machine interface platform with thousands of channels,” bundles of threads are implanted into the brain, avoiding blood vessels and damaging brain tissue. The embedded sensors garner information from nearby neurons, and send the collected data to a receiver on the surface of the skull and transmit it wirelessly to a computer or mobile device that uses AI to process the information.

 

While the BMI has been successfully tested on animals, it’s not guaranteed to work with humans just yet. Neuralink is currently seeking FDA approval for clinical trials to answer that question, and if all goes well, the company plans on initially using the system to help amputees and people who are paralyzed, giving them the ability to control their mobile devices and smart homes. 

 

Have a story tip? Message me at: cabe(at)element14(dot)com

http://twitter.com/Cabe_Atwell

  • i was working on TDCS device my self image but Elon Musk Blow it up

    well the way thy describe it is that thy will be working with motor cortex

    because its easy and provide much easier to read data image .

    but its great step to  get funded for more research

    i don't think thy  will be able to read memory at the moment not in the next 5 years

    but what thy can do is

    thy can stimulate certain parts of the brain and thy will be able to do as Elon Musk stated 10,000 time what ever achieved before

    because no one ever thought about opening your brain to put the electrodes inside your brain  imageimageimage   even me i'm not that crazy so fare

    i think being able to move thing just by thinking about would be a great way to connect robots arm or leg

    and i think this will open the rode for other experiments .

    some that Elon Musk cannot share with Us at the moment

    like a memory implant or remove and all sort of other things

    its one step but very good one

  • It sounds horrendous, but then so did many other things we are happy to use now. Maybe it will work out well.

     

    Dubbie

  • OMG! What if machines take control of the human brain instead of the reverse happening?