mind controlled computers

[theMan]

i recently read an article in science news about monkeys with brain implants who could control a robotic arm just by thinking about it, and could use the arm to grab and eat food. is this the precursor to computers that are entirely controlled by the human mind? instead of moving the cursor with my hands, it just goes where I want it to automatically? instead of typing this, i just think what i want to type and it appears on the screen? is this possible? would it be socially acceptable? and how far off do you think it is?

 

[Cogman]

Originally posted by: theman
i recently read an article in science news about monkeys with brain implants who could control a robotic arm just by thinking about it, and could use the arm to grab and eat food. is this the precursor to computers that are entirely controlled by the human mind? instead of moving the cursor with my hands, it just goes where I want it to automatically? instead of typing this, i just think what i want to type and it appears on the screen? is this possible? would it be socially acceptable? and how far off do you think it is?

your first three questions aren't questions, just sentences with a question mark at the end of them...

As for the last three.

Is it possible?
- Yes, you kind of answered that with your own reference to the monkeys

Would it be socially acceptable?
- Depends on the interface, if you have to go into the brain, then for the most part no. The only way that method would be acceptable is if you where crippled in some way. If you just wear it like a hat then it would be completely acceptable.

How far off do you think it is?
- We have human brain interfaces available to the consumer market now (See OCZ's brain mouse thingy). So I would say probably 5-10 years before something really useful is released.

 

[KIAman]

Someone hasn't seen OCZ's new product.

http://www.anandtech.com/trade...howdoc.aspx?i=3252&p=2

With refinement and good software, we can move towards what you are describing without invasive methods.

 

[iCyborg]

OCZ's thingy isn't really mind reading as it seems to heavily rely on stuff like eye movement, facial expressions etc - proper brain-computer interfaces shouldn't use those.

 

[Cogman]

Originally posted by: iCyborg
OCZ's thingy isn't really mind reading as it seems to heavily rely on stuff like eye movement, facial expressions etc - proper brain-computer interfaces shouldn't use those.

It still reads brain waves. If the option is to read brainwaves and other signals from the skin, or just read brain input via an invasive procedure, I'm pretty sure the first will sound the best to most sane people. Either way, it is a good step in the right direction.

 

[iCyborg]

I'm not trying to bash the product, it's pretty cool and they had to go for the most practical solution and I agree it's a lot better than inserting electrodes into the skull.
But it's far from the kind of mind control in the opening post where a device/computer would have to recognize abstract thoughts and which IMHO won't happen any time soon, at least not in a non-invasive fashion.

 

[Modelworks]

It is already being done with people.
I wouldn't want to have the surgery though, they do not put the person to sleep to do it. They numb the area and cut through the skull and attach the sensor wires.
It has been done for controlling robotic arms and also to interface computers to the persons mind to control mood.

The reason they have to do it with the person awake is because they probe the area they think controls something like motor functions and monitor the area, then ask the person to think about moving something like a arm. That allows them to find the exact point.

In controlling a persons mood they have inserted a probe connected to a computer that stimulates the brains area responsible for emotions.

If you watch discovery health channel they have quite a bit of stuff on there about interfacing of computers with brains.

 

[makken]

reading through all of this, the only thing that i can think of is

"god, i hope this technology becomes avalaible before stephen hawking passes away"

 

[Cogman]

Originally posted by: Modelworks
It is already being done with people.
I wouldn't want to have the surgery though, they do not put the person to sleep to do it. They numb the area and cut through the skull and attach the sensor wires.
It has been done for controlling robotic arms and also to interface computers to the persons mind to control mood.

The reason they have to do it with the person awake is because they probe the area they think controls something like motor functions and monitor the area, then ask the person to think about moving something like a arm. That allows them to find the exact point.

In controlling a persons mood they have inserted a probe connected to a computer that stimulates the brains area responsible for emotions.

If you watch discovery health channel they have quite a bit of stuff on there about interfacing of computers with brains.

Never fear, a local anesthetic is all that is needed to remove all discomfort. Strangely enough, the skull is one of the least sensitive places on the body. once you numb the thin layer of skin above it, thats it, you can feel anything else.

however, hearing the saw wiss up and smelling the smoke from my skull would be a bit dis-comforting. Not to mention the random feelings that you would go through as they poke different areas of the brain.

 

[firewolfsm]

Originally posted by: makken
reading through all of this, the only thing that i can think of is

"god, i hope this technology becomes avalaible before stephen hawking passes away"

Me too. I imagine he would be the best at it too.

I'm getting this picture in my head of some kind of anime world where everyone controls huge robot soldiers with their minds and some people are just born better at it, Hawking would rule the world.