Neuralink And Its Competitors Are The Future Of Humanity
Duane Beckett
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Let’s not kid ourselves, we’re already semi-cyborgs. Continuously hooked up to our smartphones and bugging Alexa for everything:
If like us, always searching for something interesting, Neuralink (or its competitors) is the inevitable future. Regardless of whether we want it or not.
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Why Nueralink and co. are the future?
Today, the delay between swiping, tapping, gestures, or voice, combined with the following human reaction process isn’t optimum… For Artificial Intelligence (AI).
A brain-machine interface allows AI to immediately impact human decision-making without delay. And yes, AI is put first because the alternative is that AI takes over 100%.
And when we say “immediately impact human decision-making”, AI is already doing this, from Amazon’s recommendations to Facebook suggestions, and Google’s search results.
Therefore the brain-machine interface isn’t something we should be scared of as it’ll just be a quicker way to interact.
What is Neuralink?
Neurilink is a company co-founded by Elon Musk, that is working to develop an implantable brain-machine interface. Musk said the idea came to him from Lain M. Bank’s novel series ‘The Culture’ which presented the concept of ‘neural lace’.
The Neuralink Corporation specifically deals with Neurotechnology and has hired high-profile neuroscientists from various top universities to work on its project.
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When will Neuralink be available?
According to the latest news, human trials will go ahead in 2023, yet, this still means a full public roll-out is a number of years away:
In April 2021, the company demonstrated the use of implantable brain-machine technology, allowing a monkey to play the ‘Pong’ game using its mind. Lesser technology has been in existence since 2002, however, it was nowhere near as advanced or complete as Nueralink’s demonstration.
How does Neuralink work?
In simple words, Neuralink is a device that will be surgically implanted in your brain. Using this technology you will be able to communicate with machines and command them to perform different actions without any physical movement:
The machine will become a part of your body. You will be controlling the machine as you control your hand or any other part of your body only using brain signals. Not only this, but it will also help in a deep study of brain signals and eventually potentially cure many brain-related diseases.
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How much will Neuralink cost?
Alleged pricing would be around $3,000, broken down as such: $750 for the operator, $1,000 for the robot rental, and $1,250 for follow-up treatments (we thought it would cost much more).
Is Neuralink the only brain interface on the market?
Contrary to common belief, Neuralink is not the only company working to develop an implantable brain-machine interface. It is facing competition from many other companies working on similar projects, including:
BrainCo
Founded in 2015, it also works towards a brain-machine interface. The U.S.-based company has developed hardware, software, sensors, and products that could detect brain activity while also measuring brain states such as focus, relaxation, and meditation.
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Emotiv
Emotiv is also a bioinformatics company that is working on several technologies that will help in better understanding the human brain. The Emotiv EPOC+ is an award-winning headset that provides contextual access to professional-grade brain data.
Kernel
U.S.-based Kernel is working with a non-invasive mind-body-machine interface that will expand human cognition. Neuroprosthesis is a device developed by Kernel that helps in fast learning, and better memory, and aims to allow humans co-evolve with Artificial intelligence.
MindMaze
The computing platform MindMaze was founded in 2012, in Switzerland. MindMaze is building a human-machine interface device, using its neuro-inspired computing platform. The company has already been successful in developing an interface device that can decode brain signals in real-time using something called neural prediction.
NeuroSky
California-based NeuroSky was developed back in 2004. The company specializes in developing wearable fitness devices, giving service providers data related to electroencephalography and electromyography. This is done using a brain-computer interface technology that is always advancing.
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NeuroPro
Switzerland-based NeuroPro was founded in 2012 and works in the field of neurophysiology. It develops future-based cutting-edge technologies, including brain signal devices.