Have you ever thought that one day you will be able to move a computer cursor, an artificial limb, or a mobile robot just by the power of your thoughts!? For normal people and people with disabilities like paralysis and limbs loss, this is a dream coming true. The goal of this research paper is to address the question of whether implantable devices can be the bright future of not only disabled people but also normal people. The paper also discusses the ethical concerns and the physical impacts of implantable devices on the human body. This area of research is very controversial, especially because it is a recent ongoing research. However, I think when the body meets machine, then it is our opportunity to eliminate disability and enhance the
…show more content…
A brain–machine interface (BMI) uses neurophysiological signals from the brain to control external devices, such as robot arms or computer cursors. Mind-controlled robots is a method that is recent and its success eliminates any doubts or fears regarding the safety and accuracy such technology. The technology succeeded when applied on monkeys and rats to control robot arms. Scientists Kenji Kansaku, Naoki Hata and Kouji Takano performed their research in Japan and explained: “electroencephalography (EEG), a technique for recording neurophysiological signals using electrodes placed on the scalp. An EEG-based [Brain Machine Interface] BMI succeeded in achieving two-dimensional cursor control” (219). They used EEG to read the brain signals and interpret them into translational movements of the robot. The robot arms or the computer is connected to the implanted electrodes in the scalp of the brain via electromagnetic means like Bluetooth. According to the research, “Ten healthy, non-trained naive subjects (aged 19–39 years; two females and eight males) who had not previously participated in this study were recruited as participants” (Kansaku et al., 219). As for the accuracy of the EEG-based system, “To control the robot, each command was selected in a series of 15 sequences, and the participants were required to send 15 commands. Online performance was evaluated, and the mean accuracy for controlling the robot was 90.0%,” in addition, Online performance was evaluated, and the mean accuracy for light control was 80.7%” (Kansaku et al., 219). The efficiency of this method is very high, which opens the door for neurotechnologies to be applied on a larger scale and help eliminate disability and enhance normal peoples’ lives. The extension of the environment for human activities along these lines, using either non-invasive
A brain–machine interface (BMI) uses neurophysiological signals from the brain to control external devices, such as robot arms or computer cursors. Mind-controlled robots is a method that is recent and its success eliminates any doubts or fears regarding the safety and accuracy such technology. The technology succeeded when applied on monkeys and rats to control robot arms. Scientists Kenji Kansaku, Naoki Hata and Kouji Takano performed their research in Japan and explained: “electroencephalography (EEG), a technique for recording neurophysiological signals using electrodes placed on the scalp. An EEG-based [Brain Machine Interface] BMI succeeded in achieving two-dimensional cursor control” (219). They used EEG to read the brain signals and interpret them into translational movements of the robot. The robot arms or the computer is connected to the implanted electrodes in the scalp of the brain via electromagnetic means like Bluetooth. According to the research, “Ten healthy, non-trained naive subjects (aged 19–39 years; two females and eight males) who had not previously participated in this study were recruited as participants” (Kansaku et al., 219). As for the accuracy of the EEG-based system, “To control the robot, each command was selected in a series of 15 sequences, and the participants were required to send 15 commands. Online performance was evaluated, and the mean accuracy for controlling the robot was 90.0%,” in addition, Online performance was evaluated, and the mean accuracy for light control was 80.7%” (Kansaku et al., 219). The efficiency of this method is very high, which opens the door for neurotechnologies to be applied on a larger scale and help eliminate disability and enhance normal peoples’ lives. The extension of the environment for human activities along these lines, using either non-invasive