Mind Over Matter: Will computers enhance or limit our brains in the 21st Century?

This page holds a collection of examples, links and videos on a selection of recent developments related to brains and computers. We are looking for your ideas and suggestions. If you have a good article, video or case study that should be listed here, please let us know by email, or on Twitter with the hashtag #nestahottopics.

The next Hot Topics will explore Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI). From advanced prosthetics to revolutionary treatment for Parkinson's, Brain-Computer Interfaces have recently been central to a variety of huge medical breakthroughs. With companies like Neurosky now producing 'Brain Sensors for Everybody', the technology is moving into the mainstream; entering the realms of gaming, marketing and even online dating. This event will look at the new wave of technology that can interact with our brains, exploring potential applications and considerations for the future.

A brain-computer interface (BCI), also known as a direct neural interface, is any direct communication pathway between the brain and an external device. The technology can be divided into invasive (implants inserted directly into the brain and nervous system) and non-invasive forms of BCI. Electroencephalography (EEG), a helmet off electrodes bound to the skull with conductive gel, is the most studied potential non-invasive BCI interface.

The world of BCI is constantly evolving. This video on 'The past, present and future of BCI' provides a timeline of major breakthroughs in the field from prosthetics and implants to aid the blind to new consumer-focused devices.

 

Neurogadget is a blog dedicated to BCI and mind-controlled applications, such as bionic hands, mind controlled cars and uses for the new EEG headsets.

Prosthetics

The development of brain-controlled prosthetics for paralysed or severely disabled patients is one of the most widely known applications of BCI. Professor Miguel Nicolelis of Duke University has been testing the use of brain implants in rhesus monkeys from controlling robot arms to feed themselves, to enabling them to operate robots from across the globe.

Disclose.tv - Robo-monkey uses brain power to feed itself Video

In February 2011, the US government agency DARPA announced that they would be fast-tracking of their mind-controlled robotic arm; as part of its just announced Innovation Pathway (a priority review program for breakthrough medical devices). If all goes to plan, the arm could be on the market within 4-5 years.

 

In 2009 as part of the Lifehand project (Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma), Pierpaolo Petruzziello's had a BCI implant inserted into the nerves of his upper arm (his hand and forearm had been amputated after a car accident. During a one month experimentation period, the implant allowed him to operate a bionic arm attached to him via electrodes.

Advances in medicine and beyond

Braingate

BrainGate is a groundbreaking device, the size of a baby aspirin, implanted into the brain of seriously disabled individuals to allow them to operate external devices. Recently interviewed by the Guardian, Professor John Donoghue is one of the most successful pioneers of BrianGate technology he is currently investigating the use of the technology to help the severely paralysed both operate prosthetics and help them better communicates via computers.

Matthew Nagle was one of the first people to test a BrainGate implant, he had been paralysed from the neck down when stabbed protecting a friend in a fight.

 

 

BrainGate reached an important milestone in 2011, a tetraplegic woman who has been participating in the trials is still able to accurately control computer cursor with her thoughts 1000 days after it was inserted into her brain.

Professor Kevin Warwick

Prof. Kevin Warwick, Professor of Cybernetics at University of Reading is probably best known for his 'Project Cyborg' experiments. He had a series of implants (Utah Array/BrainGate) inserted into the nerves of his left arm, in order to assess the latest technology for use with the disabled. His recent research includes exploring how deep brain implants could be used to treat Parkinson's disease, and a project that trained a cultured neural network to control a mobile robot platform. The video of this "robot with a rat brain" has been viewed over a million times on Youtube.

 

Thought-controlled wheelchairs

The BBC recently visited The Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne in Switzerland to see a demonstration of their prototype wheelchair that can be directed by brain signals detected using an EEG cap. The award-winning Aviator system originating from the University of Technology Sydney, directs and controls wheelchair navigation by reading the users' head movements and brainwaves. Aviator is working on two prototype wheelchairs, TIM (Thought-controlled Intelligent Machine) and SAM (Semi-Autonomous Machine).

James May had the opportunity to try a thought-controlled wheelchair as part of his programme "James May's Big Things".

 

Brain-to-Brain Communication

Prof Christopher James is responsible for some of the first research conducted to explore Brain-to-Brain communication. His experiments enabled one person to transmit thoughts (in the form of a series of binary digits), over the internet to another person whose computer receives the digits and transmits them to the second user's brain through flashing an LED lamp.

g.tec intendiX

Austrian company g.tec developed the first commercially available BCI system in 1999. Winner of the Microsoft Innovation Award 2010, g.tec's intendiX is a personal EEG-based spelling system that enables users to sequentially select characters from a keyboard-like matrix on the screen just by paying attention to the target for several seconds. Users can also use the system to trigger an alarm, let the computer speak the written text, print out or copy the text into an email or send commands to external devices/appliances. Openvivo is the UK distribution partner of g.tec technology.

Neurovigil

Neurovigil is the company behind iBrain, a miniaturized EEG system which detects the impact of drugs on the brain in patients with neurological diseases. It uses unusual brain signals as potential biomarkers for highlighting harmful side effects. The company recently got its record amount of first round of funding,  bigger than Google's and Facebook's first round investments combined. The funder currently remains mysteriously anonymous.

The Stargaze+ Project

Special Effect is a charity dedicated to help young people with disabilities to enjoy computer games. Their StarGaze+ project focuses on facilitating the loan of gaze-controlled technology for young people when they need it most, including just after their accident.

Consumer Applications

Two San Jose-based companies, Emotiv and NeuroSky, lead the way in bringing BCI devices into the hands of consumers. They have both produced affordable headsets (recently profiled in Wired), that work in a similar way to EEGs, to allow gamers to control a variety of software and games with the power of their mind.

Emotiv's Epoc is a wireless headset (currently retailing at $299) that uses 14 sensors to detect a player's brain activity, allowing them to communicate with their computer without touching a key. Emotiv's CEO, Tan Le, gave a talk about the Epoc at TED Global 2010.

 

NeuroSky's Mindwave headset uses a single electrode to measure your levels of attention and relaxation as you complete a series of math and memory games. The chip has already been licensed to companies including Mattel, whilst the US Archery Team are said to have been using the headset to improve their concentration during training

NeuroSky #FASTech50 Award Video from Tansy Brook on Vimeo.

NeuroSky now have several UK partners who use the technology for a range of gaming applications. Myndplay is the world's first mind controlled media player and platform which connects with NeuroSky technology to allow viewers an engaging, innovative new level of interactivity with live motion. MyndPlay gives the user the ability to interact with and change the direction and outcome of a video or movie; choosing who lives and dies, or whether the good or bad guy wins, just by relaxing or focusing their mind!

Roll7 are a London-based "small digital agency with big ideas". In partnership with Neurocog and the University of Wollongong, they have created Focus Pocus a ground-breaking game designed for the 5% of young people worldwide who suffer from ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder). Using a NeuroSky headset, you play the role of a wizard in training; focusing or relaxing your mind to cast spells and defeat your enemies. The game brings together neurocognitive and neurofeedback training to provide an environment where children can train to improve important psychological processes that underlie their behaviour, while having fun at the same time.

Apps, Social Networks & Beyond

Icelandic app developers Mindgames have developed two mind-controlled apps, Tug of Mind and W.I.LD for use with a Neurosky headset.

Combining BCI enhanced meditation with a community-driven personal growth media repository, Imagercise.com presents the first social network for creating and sharing neurofeedback meditation experiences.

Japanese company Neurowear is creating a range of fashion accessories that are operated using brainwaves including moveable cat ears.

 

 

Using a Neurosky headset, FlavourCollider visualizes your brain's reaction to cocktails.

The dating website Match.com is working with the University of Berkeley to look at how measuring brainwave activity can help users find better matches.

The perfect gift for avid cyclists, the Toyota Prius X Parlee Concept Bike lets you change gears with your mind.

Going one step further, researchers at Freie Universitat Berlin have created BrainDriver to allow the driver to control the engine, brakes and steering of a modified car via an Emotiv headset...

NESTA's work

Robots and Avatars is an innovative collaboration between NESTA and Body>Data>Space to explore how young people will work and play with new representational forms of themselves and others in virtual and physical life in the next 10 years.

Between June and November 2010, Robots and Avatars (body>data>space/NESTA) hosted a series of Lunch Debates bringing together a diverse and specialised groups of professionals and experts to deepen the research and ask the question, 'What sort of world are we educating our young people for?' Professor Kevin Warwick joined other experts to talk about the future of health and wellbeing in relationship to the extended use of robotics and virtual worlds.  Video and reports from all the lunch debates can be found here.