Science fiction could soon be science fact. Facebook-backed researchers have managed to translate brain signals into spoken words, bringing the social network’s vision of linking brains and machines closer to reality.
A study published last week by University of California-San Francisco scientists showed progress toward a new type of brain-computer interface. The project involved brain implants, but could be a step toward accomplishing the goal with a non-invasive method such as augmented reality glasses with sensors.
“A decade from now, the ability to type directly from our brains may be accepted as a given,” Facebook stated in an online post updating a project announced two years ago.
“Not long ago, it sounded like science fiction. Now, it feels within plausible reach,” it added.
Such a breakthrough could benefit people with paralysis, spinal cord injuries, neurodegenerative diseases or other conditions making them unable to speak, and may also let people control technology such as augmented reality glasses just by thinking, according to the US tech giant.
A standard set of questions were asked of the volunteers in the study, with the computer provided context to help figure out answers.
“It’s never too early to start thinking through the important questions that will need to be answered before such a potentially powerful technology should make its way into commercial products,” Facebook announced.
A study published in Nature Communications detailed how researchers were able to capture brain signals being sent to produce speech and figure out what people were trying to say.
A standard set of questions were asked of the volunteers in the study, with the computer provided context to help figure out answers.
“Currently, patients with speech loss due to paralysis are limited to spelling words out very slowly using residual eye movements or muscle twitches to control a computer interface,” Eddie Chang, a University of California-San Francisco neuroscientist, said.
“But in many cases, the information needed to produce fluent speech is still there in their brains. We just need the technology to allow them to express it,” he added.
The study was funded by Facebook Reality Labs, a research unit at the California-based internet titan focused on technology for augmented and virtual reality experiences.
The work is part of “Project Steno,” which explores the feasibility of a wearable device that lets people type by imagining themselves talking.
“Our progress shows real potential in how future inputs and interactions with AR glasses could one day look,” Andrew Bosworth, the Facebook vice-president of augmented and virtual reality Andrew Bosworth, tweeted.
Researchers hope to eventually decode 100 words per minute in real-time with a 1,000-word vocabulary and an error rate below 17%, according to Facebook.
Last month, Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk revealed his secretive dis startup is making progress on an interface linking brains with computers, and said testing on people may begin next year.
– AFP