June 27, 2008
Co-Adaptive Brain-Machine Interface
Brain - computer interfaces that learn from each other? Previous research into using a computer interface to read thoughts and carry out specific movements have centered on one-way communication, i.e. brain to computer. In the June issue of The Journal of IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, researchers from the University of Florida have devised a way for computerized devices not only to translate brain signals into movement but also to evolve with the brain as it learns. This is a huge step forward to transhuman and technological singularity goals. The computer and the user co-evolve to learn to work together more effectively.
According to the researchers, "this idea opens up all kinds of possibilities for how we interact with devices. It's not just about giving instructions but about those devices assisting us in a common goal. You know the goal, the computer knows the goal and you work together to solve the task."
Fitted with tiny electrodes in their brains to capture signals for the computer to unravel, three rats were taught to move a robotic arm toward a target with just their thoughts. Each time they succeeded, the rats were rewarded. The computer's goal, on the other hand, was to earn as many points as possible, The closer a rat moved the arm to the target, the more points the computer received, giving it incentive to determine which brain signals lead to the most rewards, making the process more efficient for the rat. The researchers conducted several tests with the rats, requiring them to hit targets that were farther and farther away. Despite this increasing difficulty, the rats completed the tasks more efficiently over time and did so at a significantly higher rate than if they had just aimed correctly by chance.
According to the scientists the 'goal is to make these systems evolve over time and have the devices grow with the user in addition to giving the users opportunities to be able to experience new scenarios and to control the device.'
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Other AATP weblog posts about brain-computer interface.
Brain Control Headset For Games
Brain Meets Computer Again
Using Your Brain To Control Your Computer
Sources:
Medgadget
Press Release University of Florida
IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering