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I do some of my Master's research in this space -- specifically trying to build computer programs to interpret what a person is thinking of based on the neural
by chrisfosterelli 10y ago
I do some of my Master's research in this space -- specifically trying to build computer programs to interpret what a person is thinking of based on the neural activity occurring within the brain. This field is so, so far away from any sort of useful brain-computer interface, but there is exciting work going on right now.
The biggest problem is that we don't understand how the brain works well enough. It's quite complex and pulling out useful information is very challenging. Machine learning algorithms can be ran on neural data (fMRI/EEG/MEG) to identify some simple words or detect specific intentions/reactions to stimuli, but we definitely aren't getting this information at a rate which is anywhere near faster than current human interaction methods and with nowhere near the accuracy (in real world settings) we would need to be practically useful.
- gipp 10y agoPardon my relative ignorance on the subject, but couldn't we take an approach in which we attempt to let the brain figure out how to interpret/send signals? I.e. find a way to take advantage of the well-established extreme plasticity of the brain, and let it figure out our interface, rather than the other way around?
- chrisfosterelli 10y agoThere are some cases where plasticity can be useful. For example: if a particular intention is associated with the neural activity while a person lifts their arm, eventually the person can train themselves to trigger the intention just by thinking of lifting their arm (without actually doing it). This is the brain learning to control the intention instead of the action.