Facebook announced that the brain-machine interface (BCI), which transmits signals directly from the brain and computer, is making a leap forward in recent years, and has revealed its envision for a new future that BCI technology will create.
This announcement was triggered by a study published in July that showed that human-selected options, funded by Facebook, were read directly from brain waves. In the experiment through this study, the options that can be read by the brain are limited to certain pre-designated ones, and the accuracy is around 70%. Currently, BCI technology is not yet practical for development. Facebook announced that it plans to increase the accuracy of the brain signal reading system and provide 1,000 words at a real-time reading processing speed of 100 words per minute with an accuracy of 83% or more.
Facebook predicted that with the recent increase in interest in brain science and technology, the pace of development will also make BCI technology more advanced in 10 and 20 years. This announcement can be said to express the determination of Reality Labs, a research and development department on Facebook augmented reality and virtual reality, to focus on BCI technology and create a new future.
Currently, BCI technology is established by electrodes that are directly inserted into the brain, and there are cases in which the type of BCI technology that is directly inserted into the brain has been successful in moving a robotic arm or controlling an airplane in a virtual reality space. Facebook says that the tangible technology that is inserted into the brain has a safety problem, and it is hoping to develop BCI technology through wearable devices. Facebook is developing a system that indirectly measures brain activity by detecting changes in oxygen concentration in the brain through near-infrared rays based on the principle of consuming oxygen when neurons are activated with a headgear type wearable BCI device.
Facebook says that BCI technology is not only helpful to improve the lives of people with physical disabilities, but also that the development of BCI technology, such as a smartphone that can be operated with hands-free, is beneficial to everyone around the world. We plan to look into the future and deal with it over a long period of time, such as 10 or 20 years. Related information can be found here .