Research on brain-computer interfaces is actually not new. This curiosity of humanity was even reflected in science fiction films; as well as 30 years ago. This movie we’re talking about is The Matrix.
The important part of the film for our article is that human brains are connected to computer interfaces and are controlled by artificial intelligence. As chaos and war attract people’s attention more and are watched more, we generally see disaster scenarios in movies. So, is there anything good about this situation?
Brain-computer interfaces can be excited by any kind of signal.
Computer-based systems that detect, analyze and transmit signals about actions intended to take place in the mind are called brain-computer interface or brain-machine interface.
These technologies, whose English equivalent is Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), can be used with all kinds of brain signals in principle. These signals can be captured by means of chip implants placed in the brain or electrodes attached to the scalp. After explaining what it is, let’s now look at its uses.
There are many areas where it can be used.
Wouldn’t it be nice if it was possible for paralyzed patients to control their immovable limbs via brain-computer interfaces? It is thought that this situation can be achieved with these interfaces. Although we have not yet reached the desired stage, we can say that the researchers at MIT are very close to this.
As seen in the video, the robot performs the signals that the hand perceives but does not fulfill in the signals sent to the hand. However, in people with paralysis, it is often the case that the signals do not reach the damaged organ at all, or that there is no or very little signal from there to the brain. Therefore, it is not yet fully used.
Another benefit of brain-computer interfaces is thought to be in the military field. Through these developed interfaces, soldiers far away from each other will be able to communicate quickly with each other thanks to the device in their brains. It will be easier for them to make faster and more accurate decisions at critical moments. They will also be able to use it to control their emotions, especially fear. Of course, the other aspect will be to be able to control and use military weapons miles away.
Regardless of all these, the natural result of the advancement of technology in this way is getting to know the brain better. The complexity of the brain and the mystery of human intelligence become understandable. Well, finally, if two people connect their brains to a computer, can they read each other’s thoughts over the internet?
You remember the computer of the famous physicist Stephen Hawking, whom we lost in 2017. There, Stephen had to write with eye movements before the computer could speak. Now we are one step ahead from there. Researchers from Columbia University were able to vocalize brain waves through the interface. In other words, interfaces are at a level that can voice your thoughts by examining your brain waves.
In another experiment, a kind of brain-to-brain interface was created between people, asking people to communicate and solve a task in real time. In this system, called the BrainNet, the subjects were connected to computers but were physically miles apart from each other. The experiment ended successfully. The subjects communicated with each other and played a Tetris-like game.
The results of the experiment are quite impressive, aren’t they? The brains of two people create a communication channel to share their thoughts and feelings with each other. Since the experiment was conducted with only three people, it is important in terms of being the first, although great results cannot be connected.
All these studies show that it is actually possible to read thoughts. However, since the use of this technology is so new, there are still many questions about how accurate and reliable it is.
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