Thursday, October 28, 2004
Mind over matter
There's a company out there called Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, which is working on a system that would permit an operator to control a computer, or anything controlled by the computer, via a neural sensor implanted in the operator's brain. Although in its early staqes, the Cyberkinetics technology is amazing, jaw-dropping stuff (at least to a simple guy like TigerHawk). The medical applications are obvious:
One can also imagine frivolous applications (no more game controllers!) and military applications (is there a faster targeting computer than human thought?). And, obviously, there would be no more hunting around for the remote control.
The ultimate goal of the BrainGate development program is to create a safe, effective and unobtrusive universal operating system which will allow physically disabled people to quickly and reliably use their thoughts to control a wide range of devices, including computers, assistive technologies and medical devices.
One can also imagine frivolous applications (no more game controllers!) and military applications (is there a faster targeting computer than human thought?). And, obviously, there would be no more hunting around for the remote control.
1 Comments:
By 
, at
Tue Nov 02, 05:34:00 PM:
It is not simply to have control over external devices. The technology is equally driven by the potential for input, vision and hearing have already been accomplished, other devices are already being tested for depression and mood alterations.
If you take it to a paranoid extreme we will be able to connect the digital warrior to his arsenal of weaponry and give him a persecution complex at the same time and following target acquisition and destruction, drive the pleasure centers for maximum positive reinforcement.
Obviously, too much behavioral neuroscience at an early age!
