Under the rapid advancement of technology, brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is quietly transforming our lives. Imagine, for instance, that individuals with aphasia can express their thoughts again through technology, the paralyzed can walk once more, and even humans can acquire so-called "superpowers." All of this sounds like a plot from a science fiction movie, but it is now becoming a reality.
In a live broadcast, Elon Musk boldly stated that the ultimate goal of brain-computer interfaces is not only to help the disabled regain lost functions but also to bring superpowers to humanity. In 2016, a man named Arbaugh became paralyzed from the neck down due to an accident. This year, he became the first lucky recipient of a chip implanted by Neuralink, a company founded by Musk. From that moment on, he began using his thoughts to control his phone and computer, playing games, surfing the internet, and playing chess, as if he had wings for his life.
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Neuralink is not the only company exploring brain-computer interfaces; an increasing number of studies are helping those paralyzed due to spinal cord injuries, strokes, or motor diseases to gradually regain their abilities. Dr. Aimie Henderson, a neurosurgeon at Stanford University, expressed that the success of the surgery has surprised many researchers, as if embarking on a hopeful new journey.
However, the future remains uncertain. Musk has recently considered developing a bionic implant to compete with super artificial intelligence to some extent. Rafael Yuste from Columbia University in New York suggests that in the future, it might be possible to manipulate human perceptions, memories, behaviors, and even identities.
The basic principle of brain-computer interfaces is to use metal discs, wires, or electrodes to detect the electrical signals emitted by neurons. These devices can be implanted into the brain or placed on the scalp, then send information to a computer for processing, converting it into commands. Scientists have been exploring this technology for decades. As early as 1998, they implanted the first brain-computer interface into Johnny Ray, a construction worker who was almost completely paralyzed due to a stroke. Ray controlled the cursor by imagining hand movements, although the device's functionality and reliability were relatively low at the time, it opened the door to brain-computer interface research.
Due to technological limitations, early devices often required long periods of debugging and could only select a few characters per minute, with high error rates that were frustrating. Because the human brain contains billions of complex neurons, a small number of electrodes cannot capture enough information. To solve this problem, researchers began to seek more advanced technologies, especially the "Utah Array" invented by Richard Normann at the University of Utah, which can simultaneously capture signals from multiple neurons.
The "Utah Array" is a 4mm square chip with about 100 microelectrodes that can penetrate the outer layer of the brain. Researchers use this array to track the discharge of individual neurons, record data from about 100 neurons, and observe the activities of neuron populations, helping to restore functions such as movement and language.
As research continues to deepen, in 2004, researchers from the BrainGate consortium successfully implanted the Utah Array into paralyzed patients, advancing the field. Many volunteers underwent surgery, using their thoughts to guide cursors, open emails, control televisions, and even drink water. Remarkably, the paralyzed could also control robotic arms through "mind control."
Technological advancements have enabled researchers to decode brain signals faster, setting a new record for typing with a brain-computer interface. In 2021, Dennis DeGray achieved a typing speed of 90 characters per minute using the Utah Array. He sent signals by imagining writing on paper, and artificial intelligence then decoded these signals and converted them into text. Additionally, researchers found that through brain-computer interfaces, paralyzed patients could not only regain physical movements but also control what they wanted to say.
Recently, researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne have set a new milestone. They developed a less invasive "electrocorticography" (ECOG) array that can read signals from the motor cortex and transmit them to a stimulator in the spinal cord. This breakthrough allowed a patient with paralyzed legs to stand, walk, and even climb stairs with ease.
The research on brain-computer interfaces not only aids in the recovery of motor abilities but also challenges our understanding of the brain, gradually revealing the complex connections between motor cortex neurons. The progress of this technology not only fills us with anticipation for the future but also deepens our understanding of the mysteries of the brain. Miracles are happening, and let's witness these changes together!