A brain-computer interface (BCI) is a system that captures brain signals, analyzes them, and translates them into commands. These commands are relayed to an output device to carry out a desired action.

History and development in BCI

Hans Berger, a German psychiatrist, is credited with the invention of electroencephalography (EEG). In 1924, he used this method to record the electrical activity of the brain, commonly described in terms of brainwaves.

Our human brain consists of around 86 billion neurons (the cells in our brain). They use electricity to communicate with each other. Neurons are constantly talking with each other.

For communication, one group of neurons send an electrical signal to another group of neurons.

This electric signal or electrical activity can be detected with EEG, with sensors attached to the scalp that tune into those bursts of energy and record them as waves.

With EEG test (which is generated with the help of computer), we can detect and measures the electrical activity in our brain.

The EEG has usually been described in terms of frequency bands: 

1.     Gamma greater than 30(Hz)

2.     BETA (13-30Hz)

3.     ALPHA (8-12 Hz)

4.     THETA (4-8 Hz)

5.      DELTA (less than 4 Hz).

Gamma brainwaves have been equated with ‘peak mental state’.

When our brain is doing simultaneous processing of information from different parts of the brain, learning, problem solving etc. then more Gamma waves are generated.

On the other hand, more Delta brainwaves are generated when we are sleeping, in a dreamless state.

Alpha waves fall in the middle and is associated with relaxation state. Deep breathing, meditation etc. helps in increasing the Alpha waves.

As we can see now, our brain keeps on generating different electric waves for various activities (during problem solving, speaking, writing, responding to someone, excitement, meditation, relaxing or sleeping).

Till now, it was very difficult to make a meaning of these waves. But recent advances in medical science as well as with the help of machine learning, we can derive a meaning out of these brain waves.

Whom it will help

Now that we know, our brain produces different type of brainwaves for different activities.

If we can capture these waves and send that to a digital devise, many meaningful activities can be done….literally just by thinking about it.

Brain-computer interfaces allow people to control machines using their thoughts. The technology is still largely experimental, but its possibilities are vast.

For example, it could help people with paralysis regain control of their limbs.

It will help people with disabilities. People paralyzed by physical injuries or neurological disorders could use BCIs to communicate and regain control of their limbs.

1. We can think of smart chips/micro-electrodes, which are implanted in the brain. Post that, one can operate external devices such as computers or robotic arms with just their thought.

2. This will help people with spinal cord injury, brainstem stroke, and ALS to control a computer cursor simply by thinking about the movement of their own paralyzed hand and arm.

3. It will Augment human capabilities and human-computer interactions. BCIs could accelerate and simplify interactions between humans and machines in various fields like education, defense and space.

4. BCI can be used as a neurofeedback tool to improve cognitive performance. It can help a person, who is dealing with mental depression.

5. It can identify if a person is having low attention level or feeling stressed out or drowsy. Surely beneficial for drivers and pilots.

6. BCIs can detect the mental state of a worker and adjust nearby devices accordingly ….smart homes to smart atmosphere…

7. Researchers are also experimenting with “PASSTHOUGHTS” as an alternative to passwords. Soon, we might log into our various devices and platforms using our thoughts.

BCIs have the potential to allow seamless authentication and change our understanding of security.

8. One company, “NextMind” is developing a brain-computer interface that translates signals from the visual cortex into digital commands. It’s brain-sensing technology with machine learning algorithm translates brain neuron’s activity into digital command.
9. We can see the emergence of new games, where one can really get into mind-war.

10. The applications of brain-computer interface spread across multiple and diverse fields like medical, smart environment, education and self-regulation, games and entertainment,
11. It can open usher a new world of creativity.
12. It can help in our social interactions.

Types of Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) System

1. Invasive BCIs

Invasive BCI requires surgery to implant electrodes under the scalp for communicating brain signals. Here the main advantage is that one can get accurate reading. But its downside includes side effects from the surgery, scar tissue etc.

2. Semi Invasive BCIs

Semi Invasive or Partially invasive BCI devices are implanted inside the skull but rest outside the brain. They produce better resolution signals than non-invasive BCIs and have lower risk of forming scar tissue in brain.

3. Non-invasive BCIs

The term “non-invasive Brain-Computer Interfaces” encompasses all the technologies that allows for brain-to-computer stimulation without needing to penetrate the skull. Most non-invasive Brain-Computer Interfaces, or BCIs, simply rely on electrodes that are strategically placed onto certain areas of the scalp in order to record brain activity.

How it works

Our human brain consists of around 86 billion neurons.

The most common approach to quantify brain activity is to measure electrical signals on the scalp that result from neural activity in the brain. This is called Electroencephalography (EEG) and more specifically measures the voltage between electrodes and a reference.

Advances in machine learning have also helped in the advancement of BCI. Machine learning is playing a big role here as it filters out “noise” and help detect meaningful patterns for interpretation.

Deep learning techniques can also help identify common, subject-independent patterns to improve accuracy and dramatically reduce user-specific training time.

Components of brain-computer interface

BCI system consists of 4 components.

1.Signal Acquisition

2. Feature Extraction
3. Feature Translation
4. Device Output

1. Signal Acquisition

As part of this, using various sensors, analog signal from the brain is captured. This signal is then filtered and amplified in order to remove the noise from the signal. After this, the signal is digitalized using an “Analog to Digital converter” and transferred to the processing unit.

2. Feature Extraction

Feature Extraction is the process of extracting the unique features from the received signal.

3. Feature Translation

As part of this, the extracted feature is passed through the feature translation algorithm (FTA). FTA converts the received signal to an appropriate command to the output device.

4. Device Output

The output of the feature translation unit is provided to the specific output device. This output helps in operating the external device. This can include functions such as body part or robotic arm movement, letter selection, cursor control etc.

Companies Involved in brain-computer Interface

 

These are some of the companies, which are involved in BCI.

1. Blackrock Neurotech
2. BrainGate
3. Synchron
4. Reality Labs
5. Neuralink

Next Steps

In my opinion, we will see “Mind Augmented Reality”….The next in Augmented, Virtual ,Mixed …Extended Reality.

BCI allows its user to control some aspects of a computer with just their thoughts.

Imagine a scenario where with a thought, we would be able to relay a live stream of what we see and hear, to anyone else across the world. No need of any camera here.

Our eyes will capture the scene, which will get converted into brainwaves and transmitted through smart chip/sensor placed at our scalp.

No touch, just a thought to execute a command.

We human, have a great thing, which sets us apart from other species. And that is our ability to think and  imagine.

In coming days, we will be able to create whatever a human mind can think of.

With Brain-computer interface, whatever a human mind can conceive, technology can create that.

In my opinion, BCI has lot of potential.

1. It will surely help person with disabilities.
2. It will help a person affected with depression or facing mental health issues.
3. Along with other authentication mechanisms, BCI can add one more layer of authentication (with the help of ‘passthought’).

This will help in Metaverse.

In Metaverse, it’s difficult to establish a real person from his digital twin.

Someone may have copied the biometric details of the person and created a digital twin. But now with BCI’s passthought, a real person will authenticate himself.

Today, as part of biometric, only external body part data can be captured.

Your brain and thoughts can’t be hacked, and no one can create Digital Twin, which contains your active brain.

So along with already available methods, BCI (and ‘passthoughts’) can help a real person to authenticate himself.

4. As our mental activity is getting recorded, we can think of a scenario, where your dreams get recorded (after taking your consent).
5. One person can communicate with another person, through thoughts…no visible cues.
6. A new way of social interaction.
7. We should see many new developments in Metaverse, which will be powered by BCI.

Metaverse contains immersive technologies and aims to offer a better experience to user. Brain-computer Interface, can play a big role here….Many things can be done…just with your thoughts…

8. BCI works in both ways that is sensors can capture the activity, which is happening inside the brain. Also, those same sensors or smart chips can also provide inputs to brain.

It can help in creation of alpha brainwaves. That will help a person in calming down. BCI can help human in generating more positive and creative thoughts.

Brain-computer interface can create a very powerful entity by combining artificial intelligence with brain’s natural intelligence.

Things to watch out for

1. This technology is still in nascent stage. Lot much work needs to be done, before it can be taken for mass use.
2. There can be moral and ethical issues related to this. We need to tackle this properly by putting proper governance during its development.
3. Corresponding chips and non-invasive surgery need lot of work for this technology to reach its full potential.
4. As with true with any technology, we need to cautious about BCI also. It’s also having its pros and cons. We need to decide, how best to harness the power of BCI for the betterment of human growth.

Conclusion: What is Brain-computer Interface

Brain-computer Interface is a part of computer science that gauges the central nervous system activity to create a direct communication link between a computer and the brain.

Though this technology is still new, but it holds lots of potential. With brain-computer interface, we can perform any activity, just with our thoughts.

This also holds lot of potential in Metaverse as BCI can help in authentication as well as new way of social engagement and gaming in Metaverse.