Brain-Computer Interface Posts Message on Twitter
TUESDAY, April 28 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers used a simple brain-computer interface to post a message on the social networking Web site Twitter, an achievement that shows the potential for developing new communications systems for people whose bodies don't work but who have normal brain function.
This includes people with high spinal cord injury, brain-stem stroke, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Current brain-computer interface systems use an electrode-studded cap that's attached to a computer. The electrodes detect electrical signals in the brain and translate them into actions, such as moving a cursor on a computer screen.
"We started thinking that moving a cursor on a screen is a good scientific exercise. But when we talk to people who have locked-in syndrome or a spinal cord injury, their No. 1 concern is communication," Justin Williams, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said in a school news release.
He and his colleagues designed an interface based on brain activity related to a keyboard displayed on a computer screen.
"The way this works is that all the letters come up, and each one of them flashes individually," Williams said.
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now stephen hawkings will be able to share his genius
even when he can't move at all
Lol, totally not PC. Nice one Anon.
I don't think it's that un-pc. I think they were referring to the fact that ALS is a degenerative disease that might one day take away all of Mr Hawking's motor neuron control, and that even if he would get to that point, he would be able to communicate with others. Your LOL might be a little un-PC though, since you were under the impression that there was some sort of joke about Hawking's physical condition in the first post.
Owned.
he's already sharing his genius with us you twit, dont undermine his amazing accomplishments!!