The brain-computer interface is being improved
The efficiency of the machine-brain interface has doubled
The work was published in the journal Nature Neuroscience (Gilja et al., A high-performance neural prosthesis enabled by control algorithm design), and its summary can be read on the university's website (A leap forward in brain-controlled computer cursors).
Scientists worked with macaques, in the motor area of the brain of which electrode plates were implanted. During the experiment, the monkeys were faced with the task of mentally directing the computer cursor to the desired point on the screen and holding it there for at least half a second. At the same time, the cursor was controlled by reading and interpreting the electrical activity of the animal's brain.
The authors of the article have developed a new ReFIT-KF algorithm designed to translate electrical activity into cursor movements. Unlike the old one, it reacted to electrical activity faster and more accurately due to the fact that it constantly adjusted to the intentions of the animal. In addition, he simultaneously deciphered both the cursor position and its speed, and not just one of these values, as existing analogues do.
Thanks to the new algorithm, the speed of mental movements of macaques doubled and came close to the speed of cursor control with a real limb. The work of the new algorithm also turned out to be more reliable – it was not tied to individual neurons and therefore did not depend on the chip displacement occurring over time.
The authors hope that the developed technology can help patients who need prosthetic limbs. Earlier in 2012, another group of researchers introduced BrainGate2 technology, thanks to which patients could use a robotic arm to lift a ball or drink juice.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru20.11.2012