Brain–computer interface: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 07:49, 22 June 2005

Revision as of 13:21, 22 June 2005

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A '''brain-computer interface''' (BCI) or '''direct neural interface''' is literally a direct technological interface between a [[brain]] and a [[computer]] not requiring any motor output from the user. That is, neural impulses in the brain are intercepted and used to control an electronic device. This is a rather broad, ill-defined term used to describe many versions of conventional and theoretical interfaces. For purposes of this term, the word 'brain' is understood to imply the physical brain of an [[organism|organic life form]] and 'computer' is understood to imply a mechanical/technological processing/computational device. These semantic notations are crucial in the contemplation of a direct brain-computer interface, as there is great debate in the [[philosophy of mind]] regarding the reduction of [[consciousness]] and [[mind]] to the physical qualities of the brain.

==BCI Foundations==

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[[Image:BCI.jpg|thumb|right|Example of a BCI]]

Many versions of brain-computer interfaces already exist, with a great deal of [[neuroscience]], [[robotics]], and [[computer science]] research currently dedicated to furthing these technologies. [[Brain imaging#Practical achievements of functional brain imaging|Recent achievements]] demonstrate that it is currently possible to implement crude brain-computer interfaces ([[brain dish]]es) that allow <i>[[in vitro]]</i> neuronal clusters to directly control computers. [[Miguel Nicolelis]] has also used the [[vector sum]] of [[motor cortex|motor cortical neuron]] spiking - recorded directly from the [[cortex]] of monkeys - as a BCI. This design allowed a monkey to navigate a computer cursor on screen simply by thinking about moving the cursor, without any motor output from the monkey.

==Human BCI Research==

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[[Category:Cyberpunk]][[Category:Human-computer interaction]]

[[de:Brain-Computer Interface]]