People with paralysis could someday use a wit implant to assist them communicate their thoughts and take out daily tasks . AsEngadgetreports , a brain - computer port ( BCI ) called the BrainGate2 Neural Interface System has enabled three paralyzed mass to post text edition , grease one’s palms market online , stream medicine , and even play a virtual piano on a tablet .
The interface wasdevelopedby the BrainGate consortium , a team of neuroscientists , engine driver , and computer scientists that creates new technologies for people who are paralyze , have lose a limb , or have a neurological disease that limit their motor function or speaking power . Their findings were release in the journalPLOS One .
The three participant in the clinical work are paralytic and lack the use of their arms . An implant about the size of a child St. Joseph tablet contain an regalia of microelectrodes was site in their motor cortex — the part of the brain responsible for for movement . A small sensing element was used to record any nervous signal affiliate with move a tree branch , which were then decrypt and sent to a virtual black eye paired to a pad via Bluetooth .
In other words , the participants just had to think about be active a pointer on a screen , and the interface did the heavy lifting for them . They were able to type 30 characters per second and make 22 point - and - click pick per arcminute .
Similar technologies have been developed in the yesteryear , but this one lets people use an off - the - ledge pad without have to make any modifications , agree to Engadget .
Although the brain implant engineering is still in the experimental stage and is not yet quick for commercial-grade exploitation , several of the survey ’s authors allege the final result are promising and could vastly amend the caliber of life for citizenry with paralysis .
Stanford University bioengineer and lead author Paul Nuyujukian said in astatement , " One of the player told us at the showtime of the trial that one of the thing she really wanted to do was diddle euphony again . So , to see her play on a digital keyboard was fantastic . "
[ h / tEngadget ]
