Gradually, many new things are entering our lives. The development of technology does not stand still, and tomorrow it may be possible what yesterday we did not dare to dream of. The neurocomputer interface (NCI) makes real the connection between the human brain and technology, their partial interaction.
What is NCI?
NCI is a system for exchanging information between the human brain and an electronic device. The exchange can be two-way, when electrical impulses come from the device to the brain and vice versa, or one-way, when only one object receives information. In simpler terms, the NCI is what is called "management of the power of thought." A very important discovery, which is already widely used in many areas of life.
How does NCI work?
The neurons of the brain transmit information to each other using electrical impulses. This is a very complex and intricate network that scientists cannot yet fully analyze. But with the help of NCI, it became possible to read part of the information of brain impulses and transfer it to electronic devices. They, in turn, can transformimpulses into action.
History of studying NCI
It is noteworthy that the works of the Russian scientist IP Pavlov on conditioned reflexes became the basis for the development of the NC interface. Also, an important role in the study of NCI was played by his own work on the regulatory role of the cerebral cortex. IP Pavlov's research took place at the beginning of the twentieth century at the Institute of Experimental Medicine in St. Petersburg. Later, Pavlov's ideas in the direction of the NC interface were developed by the Soviet physiologist P. K. Anokhin and the Soviet and Russian neurophysiologist N. P. Bekhtereva. Global NCI research began only in the 1970s in the United States. Experiments were carried out on monkeys, rats and other animals. In the course of research, scientists working with experimental monkeys found out that certain areas of the brain are responsible for the movements of their limbs. Since this discovery, the subsequent fate of NCI has been sealed.
Electroencephalography (EEG)
Electroencephalography is a method of reading the electronic impulses of the brain by non-invasively attaching electrodes to a person's head. A non-invasive method is a method in which electrodes are attached to the head of a person or animal, without direct insertion into the cerebral cortex. The EEG method appeared relatively long ago and made a great contribution to the development of the brain-computer interface. The EEG method is still used today because it is inexpensive and effective.
Stages of NCI
Information coming from the human brain is processedelectronic device in four steps:
- Receive signal.
- Pre-treatment.
- Interpretation and classification of data.
- Data output.
First stage
In the first stage, electrodes are either inserted directly into the cerebral cortex (invasive method) or attached to the surface of the head (non-invasive method). The process of reading information from brain cells begins. The electrodes collect data from individual systems of neurons responsible for various actions.
Pre-treatment
At the second stage of the brain-computer interface, the received signals are pre-processed. The device extracts signal characteristics to simplify the complex composition of data, weed out unnecessary information and noise that interferes with clear brain signals.
Third stage
At the third stage of the NDT interface, information is interpreted from electrical impulses into a digital code. It denotes an action, a signal to which the brain gave. The resulting codes are then classified.
Data output
Information output occurs at the fourth stage. The digitized data is output to a device connected to the brain, which executes a mentally given command.
Neuroprosthetics
One of the main areas of implementation of the brain interface is medicine. Neural prostheses are designed to restore the connection between the human brain and the action of its organs, to replace organs damaged by disease or injury, with the subsequent restoration of the functions of a he althy body. NCI can be especially good for people with paralysis or loss of limbs. In the use of neural prostheses, the principle of operation of the brain-computer interface is used. To put it very simply, a person is fitted with prosthetic arms or legs, from which electronic implants lead to the area of the brain responsible for the movement of this limb. Neuroprosthetics have passed many tests, but the difficulty of its mass use lies in the fact that the NCI cannot fully read the brain signals, and the control of prostheses in everyday life outside the laboratory is difficult. A few years ago, Russia wanted to establish the production of neuroprostheses, but so far this has not been implemented.
Hearing prostheses
If prosthetic limbs have not yet appeared on the mass market, then the cochlear implant (a prosthesis that helps restore hearing) has been used for a long time. To receive it, the patient must have a pronounced degree of sensorineural hearing loss (that is, such a hearing loss in which the ability of the hearing aid to receive and analyze sounds is impaired). Hearing restoration with a cochlear implant is used when a conventional hearing aid does not give the expected results. The implant is implanted into the ear apparatus and the adjacent part of the head as a result of a surgical operation. Like any other brain-machine interface, a cochlear implant must fit the wearer completely. To learn how to use it and begin to perceive the implant as a new ear, the patient needs to undergo a long course of rehabilitation.
Future of NCI
Recently, you can hear and read about artificial intelligence everywhere. This means that the dream of many people is coming true - soon our brain will enter into symbiosis with technology. Undoubtedly, this will be a new era in the development of mankind. New level of knowledge and opportunities. Thanks to the brain-computer interface, a large number of new and important discoveries will appear in many areas of science. In addition to being used for medical purposes, NCI can already connect the user to virtual reality devices. Such as virtual computer mouse, keyboard, characters in virtual reality games, etc.
Management without hands
The main task of the neurocomputer interface is to find the possibility of controlling equipment without the help of muscles. Discoveries in this area will give people with paralysis more opportunities in movement, driving and gadgets. Already now NCI seamlessly combines the human brain and computer artificial intelligence. This became possible thanks to a deep study of the principles of the human brain. It is on their basis that programs are compiled on which NCI and artificial intelligence work.
NTI in robotics
Since scientists found out that certain areas of the brain are responsible for muscle movement, they immediately had the idea that the human brain can control not only its own body, but also control a humanoid machine. Many different robotic machines are being created now. Including humanoids. Roboticists strive in their humanoid worksimitate the behavior of real people. But so far, programming and artificial intelligence cope with this task a little worse than NCI. Using the NC interface, you can control robotic limbs from a distance. For example, in places where human access is impossible. Or in jobs that require jewelry precision.
NCI for paralysis
Undoubtedly, the most demanded is the brain-computer interface in medicine. Controlling prosthetic arms, legs, controlling a wheelchair with your mind, managing information in smartphones, computers without hands, etc. If these innovations become ubiquitous, the standard of living of people who are currently limited in their ability to move will improve. The brain will immediately transmit commands to devices, bypassing the body, which will help a person with a disability to better adapt to the environment. But when trying neuroprosthetics, specialists face some problems that they cannot find solutions to this day.
Pros and cons of the brain-computer interface
Despite the fact that there are many advantages to using the NC interface, there are also disadvantages in its use. An advantage in the development of NCI in medicine is the fact that the human brain (especially its cortex) adapts very well to changes, due to which the possibilities of the NCI interface are almost limitless. The question is only behind the development and discovery of new technologies. But there are some problems here.
Incompatibility of body tissues with devices
First, if you enterimplants in an invasive way (inside the tissues), it is very difficult to achieve their full compatibility with the patient's tissues. Those materials and fibers that must be fully implanted into organic tissue are only being created.
Imperfect technique compared to the brain
Secondly, electrodes are still much simpler than brain neurons. They are not yet able to transmit and receive all the information that the nerve cells of the brain can handle with ease. Therefore, the movement of the limbs of a he althy person is much faster and more accurate than the movement of neuroprostheses, and a he althy ear perceives sounds more clearly and more correctly than an ear with a cochlear implant. If our brain knows what information to filter out and what to consider as the main one, then in devices with artificial intelligence this is done by human-written algorithms. Until they can replicate the complex algorithms of the human brain.
Too many variables to control
Some scientific institutes are planning in the near future to create not a separate neuroprosthesis of a leg or arm, but a whole exoskeleton for people with cerebral palsy. With this form of prosthesis, the exoskeleton must receive information not only from the brain, but also from the spinal cord. With such a device, connected to all the important nerve endings of the body, a person can be called a real cyborg. Wearing an exoskeleton will allow a completely paralyzed person to regain the ability to move. But the problem is that the implementation of the movement is not all that is required from the NCI. Exoskeletonmust also take into account balance, coordination of movements, orientation in space. While the task of simultaneously implementing all these commands is difficult.
People's fear of the new
The non-invasive method of implant placement is effective in laboratory conditions, but in ordinary life this method is unlikely to meet the expectations placed on it. The contact with such a connection is weak, it is used mainly for reading signals. Therefore, in medicine and in neuroprosthetics, as a rule, they use the surgical method of introducing electrodes into the body. But few people will agree to combine their body and unknown technique. Having heard about the terminators and cyborgs from Hollywood films, people are afraid of progress and innovations, especially when they concern a person directly.
