Brain-Computer Interface

Sounds insane, right? Integrating the most complex organ of the human body to a manmade framework built on logic- what else can possibly sound cooler than this? The main purpose or the idea behind this was to make possible the translation of human thoughts into expression via a digital interface. Just imagine the immense help it could be to differently abled persons, how easily they would be able to express their thoughts and ideas.

The reason we even contemplate this idea is because of the way our brain works. Our brains are filled with neurons, individual nerve cells connected to one another via dendrites and axons. The moment we sense something, neurons start to fire and the impulse travels via electric signals (potentials) which is generated as a result of the charged ions on the surface. While most of the signal is transmitted, some of it escapes the cascade and can be interpreted by scientists by amplifying. In BCI, this acts in the reverse way too, i.e., we can stimulate the human brain into perceiving something we want it to perceive using the same mechanism. The means to do it is simple- electrodes, but the manner in which we can do is what will decide its efficacy. Normally, electrodes are attached to skull but this result in reception of weak and distorted signals. So the alternative is to implant minute electrodes inside the skull, at the surface of brain, which again has its own advantages as well as disadvantages.

Well, we cannot say such kind of systems don’t exist now. The most apt example would be the chair of the great scientist Dr. Stephen Hawking.

Professor Hawking’s chair is not exactly an example of an interface between brain and computer. However, currently it is as close to the concept as it gets. The motorized wheelchair of Professor Hawking is designed with cutting edge technology to suit his condition. As it is known, Professor Hawking suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare motor neuron disease, in which one’s neurons in the brain start deteriorating resulting in muscle twitching and their gradual degradation. This ultimately causes several problems like difficulties in swallowing, speaking, moving and eventually breathing. His chair is custom made to suit this unique condition of his and is fitted with a Lenovo Yoga 260, powered by an Intel ® Core i7-6600U processor and 512GB solid-state drive operating on Windows 10. The main interface to the computer is through an open source program ACAT, written by Intel. There is a sensor located in the professor’s cheek which allows him to operate the computer with ease. The cursor moves throughout the virtual keypad and Professor Hawking stops it at the desired point using his cheek muscle movement. However, this took him a lot of time to compose lectures or write papers. Recently, SwiftKey has collaborated with Intel on a program in which they have generated a model which predicts the word the professor needs next. This contextual prediction software is developed after thorough study of the professor’s papers, articles and journals to get an idea of the vocabulary he uses. Quoting Joe Osborne, SwiftKey’s SDK team lead, who led our work on this project, “By understanding the way he uses language, SwiftKey’s technology makes it faster and easier for Stephen to communicate, leaving him more time to consider the secrets of the universe.”

Now, the major question to take this revolution further is- Can the integration of brain with a computer which is basically binary, be possible? Can we actually someday be able to digitize our thoughts? Well in my personal opinion, I would say why not? I mean, a few of hundred years ago nobody could have even thought of mobile phones but the still came anyway.

The point I am trying to make is that we are not far away from the day where the integration of the human brain to a computer would be possible. It is said that the universe is condensed in our brain. What if we can use our brains to the fullest capacity after we digitize it? We may just be able to decode secrets of the entire universe. And nevertheless, we may just be able to evolve as a species…..

Written by

Divyajyoti Biswal