Brain-Computer Interfaces: Bridging the Gap Between Thought and Technology

In this era of rapid technological advancements, Brain-Computer Interfaces can be defined as unique technologies that allow communication between the brain and external devices. These innovative technologies stand at the frontier of innovation and have immense potential to revolutionize healthcare, communication, and entertainment. This technology creates direct communication pathways between the brain and external devices and transforms how humans interact with machines.

Computers can perform repetitive tasks faster than the human brain; however, these machines can’t think differently. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) allow users to control external devices through their thoughts just by decoding brain signals. BCI translates the brain signal into operating instructions to operate a machine without the involvement of physical movement. This technology aims to minimize the gap between thoughts and technology and develop a smooth working of machines and minds involved in it. The article focuses on how BCIs are bridging the gap between our minds and technology.

Introduction to Brain-computer Interfaces

BCIs record electrical signals in the brain that can be captured through implanted electrodes or electroencephalography headsets. This allows you to interpret brain activity and translate it into commands to control the machines through brain and external device communication. This innovative technology allows real-time interaction between machines and brains. BCIs enable users to control machines or systems such as prosthetics, computers, or other devices.

The Initial applications of BCIs were limited to understanding basic neural patterns, but advancements in machine learning and computational power increased its use cases. The development offered innovative solutions and real-time decoding of brain activity for more applications. There are mainly three types of BCIs: 

1. Invasive BCIs: This method involves implanting electrodes under the scalp for direct contact with brain tissue.  This approach provides the most correct readings to achieve high-resolution data. This surgery method can leave scar tissue that might weaken the brain signal.

2. Semi-Invasive BCIs: This method sits between two types and utilizes both invasive and non-invasive BCI technology.

3. Non-Invasive BCIs: This approach uses functional near-infrared spectroscopy or ECG to measure blood flow and metabolic status in the brain. This method is less Detailed compared to invasive BCIs but it is a more safe and easily accessible alternative.

Some of the leading BCI Companies:

A few years ago, the concept of controlling machines through thought was considered fictional. But now several companies are focused on developing brain-machine interfaces for various applications. Below are the leading BCI companies:

Neuralink:

This BCI firm was founded by the CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk to combine the human brain with artificial intelligence. Neuralink develops implantable brain-computer interfaces that surgically implant a device inside the human brain to interact with computers through brain signals. The company uses a surgical robot to implant electrodes into brain tissue to produce accurate brain signals.

The BCI firm received FDA approval for human testing in 2023 and implanted it on the first human patient. The company has secured around 680 million USD across six funding rounds. This includes $43 million raised during its series D funding round from Founders Fund with a post-money valuation of 5 billion USD.

Synchron:

Synchron uses a minimally invasive method to implant the strentrode into the large vein near the motor cortex to help the paralyzed patient regain communication ability. The company develops implantable bioelectronics to treat neurological conditions. This method is also used to treat Parkinson’s disease along with depression and other problems.

The BCI firm has raised around $145 million across four rounds to date, including $75 million from Arch Venture Partners and other investors during its series C funding round. The company has investors including NIH and Khosla Ventures.

Emotiv:

The internet-first brand offering wireless electroencephalogram monitoring headsets. The company also offers behavior management devices such as EPOC, EOC FLEX, and INSIGHT 2.0. The company develops these multi-category headsets that work on whole-brain sensing. Emotiv has raised around 7.14 million USD across four funding rounds since its inception, including $1.74 million secured during its seed funding round from The Wells Investment and Korea Credit Guarantee Fund. 

Applications of BCIs

The type of BCIs used for applications depends on several factors such as signal quality requirement, the cost, user’s needs, and information transfer rates. However, the applications of BCIs are vast and are constantly increasing. Brain-computer interfaces can be used for various purposes.

Application in Healthcare:

This technology is very beneficial in the healthcare industry as it can help people with paralysis to control their limbs along with various neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. Experts are still studying BCIs for treating and diagnosing extreme neurological problems. The Invasive BCI type used in the deep brain stimulation system showed positive results towards Parkinson’s disease by modulating brain activity. 

Brain-computer Interfaces provide huge support to mental health applications. Doctors often use devices to monitor patient’s brain activity in real-time while diagnosing conditions like anxiety, PTSD, or depression. This helps them provide feedback for further processes. Recently, neurorehabilitation programs and cognitive training offered by BCIs have become helpful and viable.

Application in Brain Augmentation:

BCIs can improve human capabilities by allowing them to operate devices through their thoughts. This innovative technology allows you to learn any skill faster and manipulate virtual objects. Brain-computer interfaces enable you to read brain signals from one part of the brain while writing signals into another part. 

BCI lets humans control external devices through thoughts instead of peripheral nerves and muscles. This allows humans to go beyond imagination and human limitations in motor, cognitive, or sensory tasks. This technology was originally focused on helping people with severe disabilities to control signals and operate devices. However, in recent years the scope of BCI has been expanded from assistive technology to a wide range of applications.

Application in Entertainment:

BCIs can also revolutionize the gaming and entertainment industry like playing video games by controlling them through your mind. This technology will allow developers to create a more immersive and personalized environment. The use of BCIs in the entertainment industry is not that big at the current time. However, BCI can be used in movies to change storylines based on the viewer’s imagination or emotional reactions. 

Application in Communication:

BCIs have the potential to revolutionize communication. It allows people to communicate without using their muscles and nerves. For individuals with motor impairment, spinal cord damage, or conditions like amyotrophic neural sclerosis BCIs act as a lifeline. These systems help users to organize and decode their thoughts. The device decodes brain signals and emotions to help people communicate. 

Brain-computer interface synthesizes speech from text input. Several companies have been trying to use BCIs to control machines with their thoughts. This technology will open a new world of human-machine interaction. The technology also helps people with severe disabilities increase their independence and autonomy. 

Independence and mobility

Aside from its application in healthcare, BCI also allows individuals with paralysis to restore mobility and independence. The advanced technologies have enabled direct control of wheelchairs, robotic arms, or exoskeletons through brain signals. This provides dispeople with a disability to have a taste of self-dependency. The research showed that paralyzed people can control prosthetic arms using their thoughts. Technological advancement creates new possibilities while bridging the gap between thoughts and technology. 

Challenges surrounding BCIs:

The introduction of BCI to the industry solved various problems but it also faced several challenges concerning the security of the people. There are also possible scenarios where people might misuse BCIs for mind control and manipulation purposes. Here are some of the challenges to address:

Safety and Security: Data safety is one of the major concerns revolving around the Brain-computer Interface. The security of implanted devices and the protection of all the data in the brain is very crucial. If this brain data falls into the wrong hands it can be very harmful for an individual. Cyberattacks can affect brain data by sending noise into brain signals.

Affordability and Accessibility: Making the BCI devices easily available at affordable prices is challenging. The BCI development requires hardware that is convenient, comfortable, and stable. The surgery cost alone is expensive and the regular checkup and monitoring can also be challenging.

Signal acquisition and processing: Obtaining high-resolution and reliable signals from the brain can be difficult. People go for surgery to implant electrodes inside the brain. Even though this invasive BCI method provides accurate and precise signals it has a higher chance of infection. While non-invasive are safer their signal quality is lower. 

Signal processing is another challenge faced by BCIs. The process of decoding brain signals can be a huge task. The system uses machine learning algorithms to decode the neural signals and then translate them into commands to control devices. 

Conclusion

BCI technology is bridging the gap between technology and thoughts by transforming the way humans and machines interact. The future of BCI technology looks promising, as it continues to advance with research and development. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the industry and transform lives.

The developers and researchers are now focused on addressing challenges in BCIs like improving signal resolution, data safety, and affordability. The applications of BCIs are increasing with more studies and research. The technology is now not only limited to healthcare applications or communications. This innovative technology is also used in the gaming industry for a more immersive experience.