Is the world really that close to a brain-computer interface?

The concept of the human brain-computer interface has been depicted countless times on science fiction books, films, TV shows, video games, and other forms of media. In these depictions, people can usually be seen with their heads connected to computers via some contraption. They use their minds to control machines and do their bidding. Dharmendra Rama.
Image source: singularityhub.com

Image source: bbc.co.uk


Ludicrous, right? Perhaps 30 years ago, it was. But is the world really that far from a brain-computer interface? Dharmendra Rama.

Nowadays, teams of researchers, doctors, computer engineers, computer scientists, and other professionals all over the world are working tirelessly to develop an interface that lets computers quantify and transmit the thoughts of people. The primary aim of this concerted endeavor is to facilitate communication between people suffering from brain disorders and the rest of the world. Dharmendra Rama.

Although the research and development are still in their early stages, this is already light years ahead of what the world had two, three decades ago. Key figures in these projects have been looking at other future technology, such as near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and EEG machines, as possible complementary devices to the interface. Dharmendra Rama.

Perhaps in the decades to come, an interface will be ready for mass use. Until then, let’s keep on dreaming of better things.

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