Transcript Brain-Computer Interface

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A direct communication pathway between the
brain and an external device.
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Directed at assisting, augmenting, or repairing
human cognitive or sensory-motor functions.
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Research began at UCLA in the 1970s
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Contracted by the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency (DARPA)
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Focused primarily on neuroprosthetics applications
that aim at restoring damaged hearing, sight and
movement
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First neuroprosthetic devices implanted in humans
appeared in the mid-1990s.
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A device know as an electroencephalograph
(EEG) is attached to the scalp.
The electrodes in the EEG measure minute
differences in the voltage between neurons.
The signal is then amplified, and filtered by a
computer program.
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After the computer program interprets the signal, It
is sent to the external device to be executed.
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Complexity of the Brain
› 100 billion neurons in brain
› Each neuron constantly sends and receives
signals
EEG’s not efficient enough to properly read every
signal sent by each neuron in the brain.
The skull blocks most of the electrical signal, and
EEG’s cannot accurately read what gets through.
Signals are very weak and prone to interface. Even
blinking creates a stronger signal.
Invasive BCI’s create long term problems
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Only Laboratory Use
› Not available to public
Not Cost Efficient
 Still in Research Phase
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Second Life
› A BCI that allows the user to control their
avatar in the online world
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Brain Gate
› A neural interface system that allows
disabled people to control a wheelchair,
robotic prosthesis or computer cursor
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NASA is researching a similar system that reads
electric signals from the nerves in the mouth and
throat area, rather than directly from the brain.
Neural Signals is developing technology to restore
speech to disabled people. An implant in an area
of the brain associated with speech (Broca's area)
would transmit signals to a computer and then to a
speaker system.
Endless Possibilities…