Adventures in Convergence VIII: Thoughts to Action

Are you ready for this? CNET recently previewed an MIT report claiming to have found the most universal-to-date computer algorithm for translating brain activity into nonhuman physical action – i.e., Brain Powered Super Robots!! While technology already exists that takes advantage of reading brain patterns via EEG or optical imaging, each form of technology has its own language for interpreting brain activity into action. MIT’s recent calculations are something like a Linux approach, uniting all of these technologies under one mathematical language.

If we are reading this right, this could mean a path towards standardization of a rudimentary brain/computer language. Protect your children!

Read Full Post »

Chronicles of the Super Human: Speed Walking

In my ongoing effort to chronicle the evolution of technology that will soon enhance the pitiful design of the human body (read here for brains), I have to reference a recent update on the design of a prosthetic ankle.

Using robotic tendons, researchers at Arizona State University have created an artificial ankle that may soon allow the legless to walk with the best of Ethiopian marathon winners.

But why stop there, I beg. You may have already heard about this Russian superstar’s new gas powered shoe. (Older models of the shoe used coal-fired steam power). This shoe has been clocked at an amazing 22-mph. If we merged this hyper shoe into an artificial limb can you imagine the possibilities? Someday people could walk on the highway, keeping apace with cars, jump like Spiderman, and kick with the power of Shaolin Soccer star Stephen Chau. Pre-teens would be amputating their own legs for a chance to make first choice on the kickball team. I know I would.

Read Full Post »

Speak of the devil…

I didn’t expect that it would come so soon.

My last post was about using practical mind control devices to operate technology in the real world. No sooner than this week Wired reported that Duke University – home of the Blue Devils (ha, title tie-in!) – is working on just such technology in partnership with the Pentagon. Mind control technology could be used for everything from video games to practical applications, like prosthetics, nano-sized tweezers for medical purposes, and weaponry.

This technology begs the question asked previously: if machines can interpret thoughts one direction, what is stopping them from thinking the other direction? Of course researchers are depending on the other human senses to interface with the devices we will control with our minds.

But it stands to reason that if, for example, someone was using such technology for a prosthetic arm they would only be able to communicate with the arm to grasp, lift, bend, and reach. However, you would ideally want to use the arm to sense the weight, texture, temperature, and other physical properties of objects. Thus, for the arm to work ideally, there would have to be technology to communicate the properties of objects back into brain language.

If they can create technology to do that, believe me, I will be an early adopter of the robotic arm.

Read Full Post »