Have you ever thought about controlling a computer with just your thoughts? How awesome would that be? Like you are living in a science fiction movie, right? But this technology is not limited to movies or tv shows any more. Yes, you can control devices with just one thought today. You are now in the age of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). This rapidly evolving technology is here to revolutionize how we interact with computer devices. But what do brain-computer interfaces mean? How do they work? Where do we use them? We are discussing answers to all those questions in this article.
How brain-computer interfaces are changing the world from thought to action
What is BCI? If any computer can connect directly with the brain, it is a BCI. The basic idea behind BCIs is simple. They translate the electrical signals from our brains into commands that computers can understand and execute. Like controlling a robotic limb, a cursor on a screen, or an exoskeleton. These electrodes can also send electricity to the brain to create artificial sensations. So, a BCI is like a super smart translator. It can convert your thoughts into a language that machines can understand.
How do BCIs work?
Brain-computer interfaces follow four main steps. They are, measure, interpret, encode, and deploy.
Measure
First, it records brain signals. There are different ways to do this. It depends on the cost, risk, usage, and capability.
- Electrical signals
This is the most common way to record brain activity. When doing this, specialists use brain implants with very thin electrodes to get detailed data from specific brain areas.
- EEG (Electroencephalography)
This is another way to record electrical activity. In this process users wear EEG devices on their head and electrodes on the scalp. Engineers have used EEG to make drones fly, improve users focus, and enable typing.
- Blood flow detection
Technologies like fMRI, fNIRS, and FUS detect changes in blood flow. These technologies work slower but they can see deeper into the brain, Because of that they give a better overall view of brain function.
Interpret
Next, it interprets the brain data. It looks for patterns in brain activity using advanced technologies like machine learning. Let’s take how it decodes words from thoughts for an example. When a person thinks about specific words BCIs record their brain activity. It repeats this many times for each word and analyzes the data to find unique patterns for each word. The computer can match current brain activity with learned patterns to identify the word and display it on the screen once they are trained.
Encode
Then, it encodes the interpreted data into information a computer can use. It converts the brain’s activity patterns into commands that the computer understands, and it can act on.
Deploy
Finally, it deploys the processed data. Here BCI performs an action based on the interpreted and encoded brain signals. For example, when it decodes thoughts, the deploy step shows the intended word on the screen. If it controls a prosthetic hand, the deploy step sends commands to the robot to move specific fingers or perform actions.
Mind-blowing applications of brain-computer interfaces
Now you know how BCIs can turn brain signals into meaningful actions. Let’s look at the amazing things fields people use them in.
Medical applications
Prevention
BCIs can monitor consciousness and attentiveness to prevent accidents and health issues. For example, EEG systems can predict motion sickness and check driver alertness to reduce traffic accidents. They can also measure hearing levels and study motion sickness using virtual reality.
Detection and diagnosis
BCIs can detect and diagnose health conditions. EEG systems can find brain tumors, epilepsy, sleep disorders, and dyslexia. If you can detect it early you can go with timely treatment.
Rehabilitation and restoration
BCIs help in rehabilitation, especially if you have mobility issues or stroke recovery. They help restore lost functions by using healthy brain areas to take over damaged ones. BCIs can also control prosthetic limbs. They can help patients regain normal functions this way.
Neuroergonomics and smart environment
BCIs can also improve your smart environments like homes, workplaces, and transportation. They enhance safety, comfort, and control in daily life. For example, the BSLEACS system monitors mental states and adjusts the environment. It can connect with your home technologies to create a more comfortable living space for you.
Neuromarketing and advertising
People also use BCIs in marketing, especially neuromarketing. EEG evaluations can measure attention during TV ads. During both commercial and political ads. Makers can find out how effective their ads are this way. BCIs can also estimate how well people remember TV ads.
Educational and self-regulation
Neurofeedback uses BCIs to improve brain performance. In education, BCIs can check how well students understand information and provide personalized interaction. BCIs also help with cognitive therapy, like emotional regulation and depression treatment.
Games and entertainment
The gaming industry brings out new interactive experiences thanks to BCIs. You can control games with your mind, like flying a helicopter or scoring goals in a virtual soccer match.
Security and authentication
BCIs also offer new solutions for security and authentication. We all know that traditional methods like passwords and biometrics have vulnerabilities. Do you know what cognitive biometrics use? They use brain signals for identity. This way BCIs can add an extra layer of security. Instead of passwords, you could use your unique brain signals to log in to devices or even verify your identity when driving.
Real-life examples of BCIs
Here are a few real-world examples of BCIs.
Neuralink with a brain-machine interface
The Neuralink company is working on an implantable BMI device called the N1. This chip can connect to more than 1,000 brain cells. With its help paralyzed people can use machines or prosthetic limbs to move again. They are also exploring how they can use this technology to help people with Alzheimer and Parkinson conditions.
Bitbrain is reading your mind
Bitbrain has created wearable devices. They can read your brainwaves using AI. This technology can help doctors understand brain activity and diagnose conditions like brain tumors or epilepsy.
NextMind does mind control for computers
NextMind’s development is more special than the above inventions. They have developed a device that translates signals from the visual cortex into digital commands. Their device can read your brain signals and turn them into actions on a computer screen. Their aim is to create a device that can turn visual imagination into digital signals, so whatever image you think of can appear on a computer screen.
Conclusion
Brain-computer interfaces combine neuroscience and technology and bring up exceptional possibilities to improve human capabilities and quality of life. The process of a thought becoming an action via machine is a fascinating reality we can dream of beyond the books, movies or tv shows we have ever seen. In this article we discussed how BCIs could revolutionize various fields, from medicine to entertainment. As research and development continue to advance, we can see these devices bring more marvels to our digital world.
