Meta Enters Implants Space With Brain-Reading Device
Neuralink, a company owned by Elon Musk, has begun trials for chips that promise to give humans special powers to control electronic devices using their thoughts. In the first successful trial, a patient who received the Neuralink chip was able to control a computer mouse. Meanwhile, Mark Zuckerberg’s company, Meta, is also working on a device that uses neurosignals to allow users to control gadgets through their thoughts rather than conventional methods.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed in a recent podcast that the company is developing a wearable electromyography (EMG) band. The band, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), aims to overcome the limitations of gesture recognition systems that rely on cameras. Zuckerberg explained that the advanced neural device would interpret brain signals associated with hand movements and translate them into accurate gesture commands. According to Zuckerberg, the device is “close” to becoming a consumer product within the next few years.
t/f Summary: What’s Next
By offering a completely private and discreet interface, the band’s ability to detect the smallest finger movements enables users to produce strong enough brain signals for the EMG to translate them into specific responses. Zuckerberg envisions the wearable technology carrying out even more functions than just swiping; users will be able to type and interact in mid-air with their hands in a manner similar to a scene from a sci-fi movie.