Elon Mask's Neuralink has been triggering the much interest in artificial intelligence symbiosis and having a brain chip stimulating neurons. However, even before Musk launched his brain chip project in 2019, a group of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab already came up with a device that would let users talk to their computers without even saying a word.
The researchers called the device the AlterEgo, a wearable headset that can detect the subtle electrical signals sent by the brain to mouth muscles. Although it may look weird like having a squid hugging the face, it got seven electrodes positioned around the mouth to pick up signals transmitted when the person thinks of words.
These data picked up by electrodes go through several processes before being transmitted wirelessly to a nearby device through bone-conduction headphones.
The MIT researchers presented their study at the International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces in March 2018 in Tokyo.
MIT Fluid Interfaces Group Lead Researcher Arnav Kapur who develops the device told Digital Trends that he foresees the device to help people with neurological conditions have better journeys in the world. He added that he hopes people with speech pathologies can communicate in real-time using AlterEgo.
Currently, the AlterEgo's look is much better, without the tentacle-like nodules near the mouth area. Instead, it is now similar to hands-free kits snapped just under the lower lip.
Read also: Neuralink Brain Chip Update: Elon Musk Says Neurons Will Fire Up in Real-Time on August 28
AlterEgo: What can it do?
Unlike Neuralink which is still awaiting human trials, AlterEgo creators have already tested the prototype on few people. By training trained the software with corresponding data for various commands like "reply," "call," or "add," the scientists got promising results. though it's not exactly ready to go into mass production.
While the device is not used for mind-reading, users can use it discreetly as a memory aid or communication device, allowing AlterEgo to speak for them. It is like having Siri or Alexa inside the person's head, feeding external information whenever needed without saying anything, and without others hearing the reply. MIT researchers also listed the following advantages of AlterEgo:
- It has 92% accuracy, which is comparable to that of Siri or Alexa
- It is portable and just looks like a Bluetooth device. The design is a bit ok, but improvements are always welcome.
- It cannot read your private thoughts, unlike direct brain sensors
- It is not invasive and perhaps it is much more affordable than Neuralink and others that require surgeries
However, there are always drawbacks that AlterEgo's developers need to improve on. The electrodes cannot shift when a person is using them, which would not allow multi-tasking. The researchers should test the device in an actual setting, particularly its wearability and crossed signal concerns.
It sounds promising, particularly the possibility that it would be much cheaper than having a Neuralink brain chip installed inside the skull. However, it has been two years since its Tokyo debut, and we hope to hear something from Kapur or any of the MIT researchers involved in the project soon. It would be nice to know when the device is ready for mass production.
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Written by CJ Robles
