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MIT Researcher Creates Mind-Controlled Internet Search Headset

Key Points

  • Arnav Kapur developed AlterEgo, a headset that allows users to search the internet using thought
  • The device picks up brain signals associated with words and uses them to query the internet
  • It can answer questions, solve math problems, and access information discreetly and silently.
  • Beyond personal use, it aims to help people with speech disorders like ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and MS (multiple sclerosis).

Media Lab Links

DrBob ,

You can tell it's bullshit right away because it's not anywhere near the brain. How do you pick up brain signals from the jaw? Compare this to what you need for an EEG and all of that gear is there to just record responses to pulses of light.

MajorSauce ,

IIRC, when you think about words, you also emit weak signals to your face like if you were actually pronouncing those words, but too weak to actually activate your muscles..

This device would pick up those signals.

EDIT: not saying this thing works, but the principle is valid.

DrBob ,

Shame on me. It's a jaw controlled interface. Like speech. Not brain controlled like... telepathy.

Squire1039 OP ,
@Squire1039@lemm.ee avatar

From the project's page:

The wearable system captures peripheral neural signals when internal speech articulators are volitionally and neurologically activated, during a user's internal articulation of words.

It doesn't capture the central signal, but peripheral, most likely from the nerves running around your face and your neck used to produce speech.

https://static.greatbigcanvas.com/images/singlecanvas_thick_none/jrl-group/nerves-of-head-and-neck-lateral-view-nervous-system,2279887.jpg

Cyyy ,

it's the same bs as facebooks "brain armband" which just picks up signals from muscle activity and not really from the brain. but because the brain is triggering those signals they call it "brain interface". it's just bs.

wahming ,

Here's the actual news release without the clickbait farm. https://www.media.mit.edu/projects/alterego/overview/

Press X to doubt, though. It's probably nowhere near as accurate or adaptable as MIT implies. University PR depts are infamous for blowing hot air.

Edit: It's from 2019. It's definitely hot air

muse ,
@muse@kbin.social avatar

Yeah but how many monkeys were violently murdered to make the product?

Oh, none?

Oh. okay.

Ensign_Crab ,

Great. Now I can find pinterest and quora spam with my very mind.

Squire1039 OP ,
@Squire1039@lemm.ee avatar

No dirty thoughts! No dirty thoughts!

ApeNo1 ,
@ApeNo1@lemm.ee avatar

“ I typed my own name into an internet search engine

And all I got was boobs

There goes my day again

There goes my day again

What's a man supposed to do? “

For any fans of Tripod out there :)

Aussiemandeus ,
@Aussiemandeus@aussie.zone avatar

And its not implanted into the brain kiling you?

sin_free_for_00_days ,

That was my first thought. Dude that had the surgery seeing this and just thinking,"What the fuck, man?"

Squire1039 OP ,
@Squire1039@lemm.ee avatar

No, it appears to be an external headset, although it was noted that people wearing it looked like they had head injuries, but they are working on improving it so that it is less visible.

admin ,
@admin@lemmy.my-box.dev avatar

While there are several ways to approach direct brain communication, they all have their benefits and drawbacks. Indirect methods, like this one, are much safer. But direct implantations, while riskier to get going, have the potential for near unlimited speed (both in bandwidth as well as reaction time).

The latter definitely will have more benefits in the long run.

Does that mean I'd want one in my head right now? Absolutely not. But if I were a unable to control most of my appendages, I'd definitely consider it.

brsrklf ,

It's how it starts, then you become Doctor Octopus.

admin ,
@admin@lemmy.my-box.dev avatar

I take back my previous comment. Where do I sign?

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