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BCI Applications

One of the most exciting areas of BCI research is the development of devices that can be
controlled by thoughts. Some of the applications of this technology may seem frivolous,
such as the ability to control a video game by thought. If you think a remote control is
convenient, imagine changing channels with your mind.

However, there's a bigger picture -- devices that would allow severely disabled people to
function independently. For a quadriplegic, something as basic as controlling a computer
cursor via mental commands would represent a revolutionary improvement in quality of
life. But how do we turn those tiny voltage measurements into the movement of a robotic
arm?

Early research used monkeys with implanted electrodes. The monkeys used a joystick to
control a robotic arm. Scientists measured the signals coming from the electrodes.
Eventually, they changed the controls so that the robotic arm was being controlled only
by the signals coming form the electrodes, not the joystick.

A more difficult task is interpreting the brain signals for movement in someone who can't
physically move their own arm. With a task like that, the subject must "train" to use the
device. With an EEG or implant in place, the subject would visualize closing his or
her right hand. After many trials, the software can learn the signals associated with the
thought of hand-closing. Software connected to a robotic hand is programmed to receive
the "close hand" signal and interpret it to mean that the robotic hand should close. At that
point, when the subject thinks about closing the hand, the signals are sent and the robotic
hand closes.

A similar method is used to manipulate a computer cursor, with the subject thinking
about forward, left, right and back movements of the cursor. With enough practice, users
can gain enough control over a cursor to draw a circle, access computer programs and
control a TV [source: Ars Technica]. It could theoretically be expanded to allow users to
"type" with their thoughts.

Once the basic mechanism of converting thoughts to computerized or robotic action is

perfected, the potential uses for the technology are almost limitless. Instead of a robotic
hand, disabled users could have robotic braces attached to their own limbs, allowing them
to move and directly interact with the environment. This could even be accomplished
without the "robotic" part of the device. Signals could be sent to the appropriate motor
control nerves in the hands, bypassing a damaged section of the spinal cord and allowing
actual movement of the subject's own hands.

On the next page we'll learn about cochlear implants and artificial eye development.

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backs and Innovators

Volker Hartmann/AFP/Getty Images

Two people in Germany use a brain-computer interface to write "how are you?"

Although we already understand the basic principles behind BCIs, they don't work
perfectly. There are several reasons for this.

1. The brain is incredibly complex. To say that all thoughts or actions are the result
of simple electric signals in the brain is a gross understatement. There are about
100 billion neurons in a human brain [source: Greenfield]. Each neuron is
constantly sending and receiving signals through a complex web of connections.
There are chemical processes involved as well, which EEGs can't pick up on.
2. The signal is weak and prone to interference. EEGs measure tiny voltage
potentials. Something as simple as the blinking eyelids of the subject can generate
much stronger signals. Refinements in EEGs and implants will probably
overcome this problem to some extent in the future, but for now, reading brain
signals is like listening to a bad phone connection. There's lots of static.
3. The equipment is less than portable. It's far better than it used to be -- early
systems were hardwired to massive mainframe computers. But some BCIs still
require a wired connection to the equipment, and those that are wireless require
the subject to carry a computer that can weigh around 10 pounds. Like all
technology, this will surely become lighter and more wireless in the future.

BCI Innovators
A few companies are pioneers in the field of BCI. Most of them are still in the research
stages, though a few products are offered commercially.
 • 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. With training, the subject
could learn to think each of the 39 phonemes in the English language and
reconstruct speech through the computer and speaker [source: Neural Signals].
• NASA has researched a similar system, although it reads electric signals from the
nerves in the mouth and throat area, rather than directly from the brain. They
succeeded in performing a Web search by mentally "typing" the term "NASA"
into Google [source: New Scientist].
• Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems is marketing the BrainGate, a neural
interface system that allows disabled people to control a wheelchair, robotic
prosthesis or computer cursor [source: Cyberkinetics].
• Japanese researchers have developed a preliminary BCI that allows the user to
control their avatar in the online world Second Life [source: Ars Technica].

To learn more about brain-computer interfaces, take a look at the links on the next page.

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Inside this Article

1. Introduction to How Brain-Computer Interfaces Work

2. BCI Input and Output
3. BCI Applications
4. Sensory Input

5. BCI Drawbacks and Innovators

 6. Lots More Information
7. See all Other Peripherals articles

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ide this Article

1. Introduction to How Your Brain Works

2. Neuron Structure
3. Basic Neuron Types

4. Brain Parts
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How Your Brain Works
by Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D.

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Inside this Article

1. Introduction to How Your Brain Works

2. Neuron Structure
3. Basic Neuron Types

4. Brain Parts
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6. Lower Brain
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How Your Brain Works

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Every animal you can think of -- mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians -- has a brain.
But the human brain is unique. It gives us the power to think, plan, speak, imagine... It is
truly an amazing organ.

The brain performs an incredible number of tasks:

• It controls body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.

• It accepts a flood of information about the world around you from your various
senses (seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching, etc).
• It handles physical motion when walking, talking, standing or sitting.
• It lets you think, dream, reason and experience emotions.

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All of these tasks are coordinated, controlled and regulated by an organ that is about the
size of a small head of cauliflower: your brain.
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Your brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves make up a complex, integrated information-
processing and control system. The scientific study of the brain and nervous system is
called neuroscience or neurobiology. Because the field of neuroscience is so vast, and
the brain and nervous system so complex, this article will start at the beginning and give
you an overview of this amazing organ.

In this article, we will examine the structures of the brain and what each one does. With
this general overview of the brain, you will be able to understand concepts such as motor
control, visual processing, auditory processing, sensation, learning, memory and
emotions, which we will cover in detail in future articles.

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Inside this Article

1. Introduction to How Your Brain Works

2. Neuron Structure
3. Basic Neuron Types
4. Brain Parts
5. Fish Brain?
6. Lower Brain

7. Balancing Act
8. Higher Brains
9. Hard-wired
10. Water on the Brain
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