ApplySci – Deep Tech Health + Neurotech

Category: BCI

  • Brain inspired computing trend continues as Qualcomm develops “neuro-inspired” chips

    http://www.qualcomm.com/media/blog/2013/10/10/introducing-qualcomm-zeroth-processors-brain-inspired-computing Similar to IBM’s “Brain on a Chip” and Intel’s “Neuromorphic Chip” initiatives, Qualcomm is developing “neuro-inspired” chips for robots, vision systems, brain implants and smartphones to more efficiently sense and process information. Qualcomm would like its Zeroth processor to mimic human-like perception and have the ability to learn as biological brains do.  They claim to replicate…

  • Mind controlled bionic leg

    http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1300126 A robotic control system for a prosthetic leg allowed a 31-year-old man to walk and climb stairs with a nearly normal gait. The system links nerves in the thigh — including some for missing muscles in the lower limb — to a processor that decodes the signals and guides the motion of the prosthesis,…

  • Neurofeedback enhances signal-to-noise ratio in thought

    http://research.vtc.vt.edu/news/2013/sep/13/covert-operations-your-brain-digitally-remastered/. Virgina Tech Carillon Professor Stephen Laconte developed technology to transfer non-invasive brain activity measurements into control signals that drive physical devices and computer displays in real time. The study suggests that the signal-to-noise ratio of the brain activity underlying our thoughts can be remastered. Researchers used whole-brain, classifier-based real-time fMRI to understand the neural underpinnings…

  • Data glasses controlled by eye movement — an alternative to brain machine interface

    http://www.domain-b.com/technology/20130912_movements.html Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute have developed bidirectional OLED microdisplay eye-controlled data glasses.  Users can view the real world while browsing a large amount of virtual information and turn pages with their eyes. Integrated camera sensors register the direction of the wearer’s eye movements and an image processing program calculates the exact position of…

  • Duke researchers link visual stimulus with tactile sensation

    http://www.dukehealth.org/health_library/news/touch-and-movement-neurons-shape-the-brain-s-internal-image-of-the-body Miguel Nicolelis is one of the main contributors to brain machine interface.  In a series of innovative experiments, he demonstrates the intricate connections in the brain, attempting to create a coherent model of multi-sensory input.  His recent experiment shows that monkeys can be tricked when the multi-sensory input is only partially coherent. A related study…

  • Human-to-human brain interface – UW researcher controls colleague’s movement

    http://www.washington.edu/news/2013/08/27/researcher-controls-colleagues-motions-in-1st-human-brain-to-brain-interface/ University of Washington researchers have performed what they believe is the first noninvasive human-to-human brain interface, with one researcher able to send a brain signal via the Internet to control the hand motions of a fellow researcher. Using electrical brain recordings and a form of magnetic stimulation, Rajesh Rao sent a brain signal to Andrea Stocco on the other…

  • Transcranial direct current stimulation headset receives FCC approval

    http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/162581-foc-us-the-first-commercial-tdcs-headset-that-lets-you-safely-overclock-your-brain The Foc.us headset is an early player in the wave of non-invasive devices that will enable improved brain function.  It passes direct current between the cathode and anode, which are placed over the prefrontal cortex, making neurons more excitable.  This helps them to fire more quickly, improving reaction time. When the currents are removed,…

  • Neuromorphic chip mimics human brain in real time

    http://www.mediadesk.uzh.ch/articles/2013/chips-die-das-gehirn-imitieren_en.html University of Zurich and ETH Zurich scientists have created a two by two millimeter microchip with 11,011 electrodes that mimics the brain’s processing power.   The brain-like microchips are not sentient beings, but can carry out complex sensorimoter tasks in real time.  Previous brain-like computer systems have been slower and larger.  This system, developed by Professor…

  • Computer model of the brain simulates daydreams

    http://www.jneurosci.org/content/33/27/11239.abstract?sid=f2eef2ee-cad7-4d63-b90a-ac6566847078 Washington University researchers have created a computer model to help scientists learn how the brain’s anatomical structure contributes to the creation and maintenance of resting state networks.   They hope that the model will help them understand why certain portions of the brain work together when a person daydreams or is mentally idle, helping doctors better…

  • Brain Computer Interface – a timeline

    http://www.livescience.com/37944-how-the-human-computer-interface-works-infographics.html From the Babbage Analytical Engine of 1822 through thought control – a brief history of the intersection of mind and machine.

  • Low cost GPU based neural network simulates the brain

    http://stanford.edu/~acoates/papers/CoatesHuvalWangWuNgCatanzaro_icml2013.pdf In a new paper, Stanford’s Andrew Ng describes how to use graphics microprocessors to build a $20,000 computerized brain that is similar to the cat-detector he developed with Google last year for $1M. To test his hypothesis about GPU-driven Deep Learning, he also built a larger version of the platform for $100,000.  It utilized…

  • Thought-controlled flying robot

    http://www.livescience.com/27849-mind-controlled-devices-brain-awareness-nsf.html University of Minnesota researchers led by Professor Bin He have been able to control a small helicopter using only their minds, pushing the potential of technology that could help paralyzed or motion-impaired people interact with the world around them. An EEG cap with 64 electrodes was put on head of the person controlling the helicopter.…