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Original title: Is Musk’s Brain-Computer Demonstration Connected to Human-Computer Interaction? Is it far yet?
Beijing Business Daily (Reporter Tao Feng Chang Lei) Not only built cars, rockets and satellites, but “Iron Man” Musk also played “telepathy.” According to a CNBC report on August 28 local time, Neuralink, a Musk brain-computer interface company, showed the latest research results on brain-computer interface technology of brain-computer interaction via a live broadcast. The event demonstrated the wireless transmission of pig brain activities. ——When the staff touched the pig’s nose, they could see that the pig’s neurons were beginning to get excited on the screen.
The brain-computer interface, also called the “brain port” or “brain-computer fusion perception,” is a direct connection path established between the human or animal brain (or brain cell culture) and external devices. The implanted chip can reportedly detect temperature and pressure, read physiological signals such as brain waves and pulse, and support remote wireless data transmission.
In addition, at the same time as the chip, there is also a surgical device that can automatically implant the chip. The future implanted chip can reportedly complete the operation independently, and the whole process is as simple and safe as a surgical operation.
The width of the neural cord used by Neuralink is reported to be about 4-6 microns, which is 1/4 the diameter of a human hair. It is less likely to cause damage to the brain, so it can implant in deeper brain regions. At the same time, 3072 electrodes distributed in 96 nerve cords also create the possibility of transmitting a large amount of data, which also makes it more capable of promoting the understanding of people’s brain and the treatment of brain diseases.
Musk said that Neuralink has great potential, for example, it can telepathically call a Tesla on autopilot in the future. Neuralink is a neurotechnology company founded by Musk and 8 other co-founders in 2016, responsible for the development of invasive brain-computer interfaces.
Does this mean that the era of human-computer interaction is approaching?
Chad Bowden, director of the Center for Bioelectronics at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in New York, believes that while the Neuralink team is researching wireless solutions and has made some progress, it should provide power for devices implanted in the brain while ensuring no generating too much heat is still a big challenge.
Hong Bo, a professor at Tsinghua University School of Medicine, also noted, “ The disappointment of this announcement is that there is no progress in decoding neural signals. It simply demonstrates the relationship between the movement of the pig’s limbs and the nerve discharge in the brain. Mobile phone communication still has a long way to go. “
In fact, in addition to the Neuralink itself, this intrusive chip is also controversial. In contrast, non-invasive brain-computer interfaces have started selling products.
Together with Musk, the brain-computer interface of the Ph.D. from Harvard University Han Bicheng, who was named one of the five innovators in the field of brain-computer interface by the American media, created BrainCo, which studies non-invasive solutions. So far there are products such as the Fusi Focus headband, the Focus Fit meditation headband and BrainRobotics intelligent artificial hands. BrainCo is reported to have completed a funding round with a valuation of US $ 400 million Investors include China Electronics, Everbright, Dexun Capital, CDH Investment and other institutions.
Neuralink is not about to be left behind. He has previously stated that he will test on five paralyzed patients as early as the end of 2020 to see if the technology can help patients move the mouse cursor and type with their brains. At the time of the new corona epidemic, it is still unknown whether the company’s application to the US Food and Drug Administration can be approved.
A reporter for the Beijing Commercial Daily contacted Neuralink for an interview, but as of press time, no response has been received.
