BCI (Brain Computer Interface): the future of controlling machines by thought

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) is a direct interaction protocol between brain signals and an external device. The BCI system has been continuously improved, helping people use brain waves to create mechanical movement. In the future, BCI can help us change the way we use equipment on a daily basis.

Imagine that you are ordering online without using a mouse or keyboard, but just thinking of yourself. You don't need to do anything like pressing a button, tapping the keyboard, or tapping the screen. Scenarios like this science fiction movie may soon become a reality.

Originating from researches to support paralyzed people, BCI is a ray of hope to help disabled people become more autonomous in their lives. Bill Kochevar met a bicycle accident nearly 10 years ago, paralyzing him from the shoulder down. But last year, thanks to BCI, he moved his arms and hands for the first time in 8 years.

The sensors were implanted in Kochevar's brain, it took four months for him to train this system by thinking about specific movements, such as turning wrists or grasping something. The sensors in the brain have recorded and 're-learned' the part of the brain that has activated when thinking about a specific motion. After that, another 36 electrodes were implanted in Kochevar's arm. By thinking about what to do, the signal from the sensor in Kochevar's brain will move to the sensor at hand, making it possible for him to perform simple movements.

BCI supports Kochevar's arm movement.(Image source: The Guardian).

Researchers are also looking to create through sensors. Such a device will also allow paralyzed people to answer simple questions like 'yes or no' through thoughts.

In Vietnam, there have been initial studies on BCI.'Digital thinking system of people' of the group of authors MIMAS has won the first prize for Talent in Vietnam 2010 is an example. This system enables patients to use thought to communicate, operate the device as desired. Although there are many limitations compared to similar studies in the world, however, this is a premise for Vietnam to develop tools to support people with disabilities.

Not only used in medicine

Engineer Dang Toan Khoa (Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Sciences) said: 'The main areas of the BCI system are often divided into four categories: biological engineering applications: operational control devices of man, bringing hope to paralyzed patients; Observe the human unconscious behavior: this area mainly studies the deep activity of the brain, often studying when people have deep sleep, to find the inherent activities of the brain that govern the body, or study about mental states; Neurological application: using real-time methods to allow observation of nerve signals to be recorded with corresponding actions; People and machine interaction applications: provide a way of interacting between people and machines or computers. '

In fact, many technology companies in different fields are developing devices that can be controlled by thought. Recently, automaker Nissan introduced a brain-to-vehicle headset that can determine what drivers want to do, before they do it. The purpose of this device is to help the vehicle react twice as fast as the driver's natural reaction time. Nissan said on the winding mountain road, new technology will help ride safer and easier.

Nissan equipment can predict driver's actions.(Photo source: Nissan).

Meanwhile, virtual reality company Neurable is developing a game where players can participate and control with their thoughts. Players will wear sensor-mounted VR devices and simply focus their thoughts on an object to control it, without any manual controls. Another company, EmojiMe, has a headphone design capable of reading brain waves, which indicates the user's emotional state in the form of emoji.

How does BCI work?

If what BCI can do is like a miracle, this is how a miracle is created. BCI evaluates brain activity through an almost sophisticated electroencephalogram (EEG) as used in hospitals. This device picks up tiny electrical signals generated when neurons in the brain communicate with each other. These signals include alpha, beta, delta, theta and gamma waves, as well as other types of signals triggered by visual signals. Some signals may often accompany special thoughts, allowing the system to predict the user's wishes.

In the case of Nissan headphones, it tracks the movement-related brain activity signals. This data is then compared with the information collected by the vehicle itself. For example, when there is a turn at 200m from the vehicle position, AI combines brainwave data and sensor data in combination with the map to find out what to do, for example: 'The driver is thinking about The turn, but at this rate he will be slow, so give the car right now. '

Neurable, the first game developer in the world that can control by thought, claims that they have the fastest and most accurate non-invasive BCI system to determine what users want to do, thanks to the system. machine learning. The company has put its system into VR game called Awakening, developed with eStudiofuture.

Images from VR games of Neurable, in which players move objects by thought.(Image source: Neurable).

BCI in the future

Neurable has released a kit that allows developers to use their technology. They said they wanted to turn the brain sensor into a new standard of VR devices in the future.

Meanwhile, Facebook and other companies are researching to develop technology that allows users to type words just by thinking about them.

Another technology giant, Microsoft recently submitted a patent for a machine learning system, using electroencephalography to launch and control applications on computers.

We can control computers with future thoughts.

In 2017, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded contracts to six research groups in the field of computer-brain interface (BCI). Since 2016, DARPA has announced that it will develop a neural interface system that improves communication between the brain and the digital world. The idea is to convert the electrical signals in the brain into a binary code used in computers.

With the interest of research and development from both research institutions and technology corporations, let us look forward to the new steps of BCI in the future.