New brain device lets people communicate by thinking
New brain prosthetic allows paralyzed people to communicate by simply thinking what they want to say.
Why it matters
- First brain prosthetic to decode inner speech.
- Could significantly improve communication for paralyzed individuals.
By the numbers
- 4 participants with ALS or brain stem stroke.
- 125,000-word dictionary.
- Communication rate: 120-150 words per minute.
The big picture
- Uses sensors in the motor cortex and machine learning to interpret brain signals.
- Only works if users can convert thoughts into speech plans.
What they're saying
- Concerns about mental privacy and invasiveness of the procedure.
- Participants enthusiastic about faster communication.
Caveats
- Works only for conditions where "idea to plan" is functional but "plan to movement" is broken (dysarthria).
- Privacy safeguards implemented, but concerns remain.
What’s next
- Further development and testing.
- Potential for wider application in treating paralysis.