Thinking to Write and Drive... A Quadriplegic Patient Dreams of 'Daily Life Recovery' [Reading Science]

-Nature Introduces Latest Research Trends
-Rapid Expansion of Application Areas and Active Private Investment Recently
-Universal Technology and Privacy Protection Remain Challenges for Commercialization

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Brain-machine interface (BMI) technology, which measures human brainwaves and reads intentions to operate machines, is advancing rapidly. It is widely anticipated that the day is not far off when stroke patients can give speeches and individuals with total paralysis can write, walk, drive, and grasp objects, thus realizing the dream of regaining daily activities.

On the 21st, the international academic journal Nature reported on recent research trends, including brain-computer interface (BCI) technology being studied at the California Institute of Technology.

The Caltech research team is currently developing a system that implants two neural electrodes into the cerebral cortex to measure brainwaves, read intentions and thoughts, and use them to operate computers and various assistive devices. James Jones, who participated in the team's experiments, suffered a neck fracture in March 2017, leaving him unable to use any part of his body below the shoulders. However, since the team implanted a chip in his brain in November 2018, he has experienced remarkable changes. Initially, he started by moving a cursor on a computer screen with his thoughts. Later, he succeeded in controlling a robotic arm, operating Photoshop software, and even enjoying video games. Recently, he reached a level where he could drive a car in a virtual simulator, adjusting speed, steering, and responding to obstacles. The research team is conducting long-term tests on a total of 35 disabled individuals who have had chips implanted in their brains.

Nature particularly noted, "The number of places conducting such research worldwide is continuously increasing, and the scope of applications has greatly expanded over the past five years." Just last year, technologies such as robotic arms controlled by brainwaves, artificial language devices for people who lost speech due to stroke, and rapid communication technologies that realize one’s own handwriting through imagination were introduced.

Participation from private companies is also increasing. Until now, the only company producing long-term usable neural electrode devices was Blackrock Neurotech, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. However, interest in commercializing BMI and BCI technologies has recently surged. A representative example is billionaire Elon Musk founding Neuralink in 2016 to research human-computer connection technology. Neuralink has received a total investment of $363 million, and last year, many new entrant companies, including Blackrock Neurotech, also secured significant capital.

The recent refinement and expanded application of BCI technology are largely thanks to advances in neuroscience. Scientists have discovered that different parts of the human brain perform different functions, leading to the implantation of BCI chips with multiple functions in various brain regions. They have also devised new methods to identify useful signals. Using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, specifically machine learning techniques, they have developed technology to encode signals sent by brain cells. Instead of interpreting what brainwaves mean, the technology identifies patterns and links them to the user's intentions. This has played a major role in the advancement of BCI technology.

Now, BCI technology is evolving not only to enable disabled individuals to use prosthetics such as robots through brainwaves but also to allow direct control of their own limb muscles. For example, if signals controlling hand movements can be accurately read, signals can be sent directly from the brain to peripheral muscles bypassing damaged spinal cords. In fact, in 2017, a research team at Case Western Reserve University in the USA successfully used this technology to enable a person with total paralysis to perform complex hand movements such as drinking coffee and eating food. Currently, the team is expanding research to allow users to control grip strength and experience tactile sensations. In 2015, a research team at the University of Pittsburgh also succeeded in implanting a chip in the brain cortex area responsible for touch, enabling patients to feel sensations similar to touching objects.

Technology that helps patients communicate by reproducing characters imagined in their minds on a computer is also rapidly advancing. A research team at the University of California succeeded last year in enabling writing up to 40 characters per minute using this method, increasing accuracy from 95% to 99%. Recently, the speed has been increased to 90 characters per minute.

However, it is pointed out that more time is needed before these research results can be commercialized. There can be significant individual differences depending on the patient's condition and body, so much more research and experimentation are required for generalization. Cybersecurity is also a serious issue. There are ethical concerns that BCI technology could infringe on privacy or undermine personal autonomy.