Neuralink and Beyond: The Future of Brain-Computer Interfaces

What is a Brain Computer Interface 

Brain computer interfaces, or BCIs, are the ultimate fusion of man and machine—the primary step in creating cyborgs, and they are now migrating from the realm of science fiction to that of science fact. These interfaces allow the brain to be influenced by a computer, and a computer to be influenced by the brain. BCIs work by inserting electrodes into or around the brain to receive signals from the neurons – which can then be either manipulated or used to control a machine. There are two primary means of doing this: non-invasive BCIs and invasive BCIs.

 Non-invasive BCIs do not require surgical implants of electrodes into the brain and instead have them placed on the head. They may record either electrical signals (EEG) generated by neural activity or magnetic signals (MEG) produced by the magnetic fields associated with that activity. Another means of recording neural signals is with fNIRS, which measures the intensity change of near-infrared light emitted into the scalp – indicating hemodynamic activity (blood flow and oxygenation) and hence neural activity. The latter form of BCIs are invasive, which are currently being commercially developed by Neuralink (more on this later). Invasive BCIs involve open surgery where electrodes are placed either on the surface or inside of the brain. These work in a very similar way to EEG non-invasive BCIs in that they receive electrical signals from neurons, yet they have a direct proximity to the brain. This reduces noise and improves precision of the BCI interaction, as well as allowing easier integration of the BCI into the body.

What is the Neuralink BCI? 

On January 29 this year, Noland Arbaugh became the first human to receive a Neuralink implant. Noland is a quadriplegic who became paralysed after a swimming accident and, since his implant, has now been able to move his computer using his mind to read, play video games, browse the web, etcetera. The implant sits on the surface of his brain and receives raw neural signals which can be interpreted as a specific intent (e.g hand movement) by matching with a “spike” which always occurs during that specific intent. These signals are then decoded by a machine learning algorithm which can map the different spikes and learn the different patterns. In the future this can allow for a plethora of patterns to be understood, i.e allowing more complex implants such as controlling prosthetics. In terms of charging, the implant contains a lithium-ion battery which makes use of inductive charging. This involves transferring energy through an electromagnetic field between two coils; one inside the implant and one outside in the charging device. All of this is required to be at a very small scale to fit inside of, and not disrupt, the brain and so Neuralink makes use of a surgical robot that does tasks too precise to be done by human hands. The robot uses a needle, thinner than a human hair, to insert the electrode threads into the brain – while the tasks that are more dynamic and accessible to humans are done by a professional neurosurgeon. Beyond the precision benefits of using a surgical robot, it will also prove itself to be paramount in the future when Neuralink may become used by hundreds of thousands, or millions, of people where we will find ourselves with too few neurosurgeons.

What is the future of BCI technology? 

Imagine a world where you wake up and, just by thinking, open the shutters and turn on the lights. You mentally notify your smart kitchen to begin making some pancakes and while you’re getting dressed you send a message to your friend, telepathically, asking if they want to have lunch today. After breakfast, you mentally start up your car as you’re leaving the house and head to work. During your drive, you notice someone (once paralysed) walking just as perfectly as anyone else by mentally controlling their prosthetic limbs. Whether or not this is where BCIs take us, this is their potential – we have already begun walking the road to cyborgs.