Researchers at MIT recently developed the ICM Alterego, a system enabling the control of objects through telekinesis (the power of the brain). Both fascinating and terrifying, this technological feat works through subvocalization, allowing a connected object to capture and act according to your inner voice.
This is done via electrodes placed on the jaw and face. A telepathic communication that allows you to take control of objects just by thought. Decoding this revolutionary concept.
Telekinesis: when the power of the brain allows you to do everything by thought
The power of the brain, the strength of thought, telekinesis,… These are all terms to refer to the latest major technological advances regarding direct neural interface. One can then imagine having telekinetic powers to write for instance without hands, or turn on the TV just by looking at the remote… Let’s admit it, all of this really has the potential to shake up our daily lives, but also our minds.
Indeed, immense prospects are emerging in enhancing our comfort, and a dream that once seemed utopian is indeed becoming a reality. This is, in fact, a technology called direct neural interface (DNI), Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), or Brain-Machine Interface (BMI). It is originally used in the field of medicine to correct motor deficiency. Thus, thanks to neuroscience and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), a person with a disability can, in this case, have some control over their prosthetics.
At the same time, animals are mentally controlling small vehicles. But the applications of BMI are now extending into many areas. They have even become more playful, such as video games or event animation. And all of this is achieved merely by using brain waves. Even today, research teams are closely examining the intricacies of the brain in order to refine analyses of the architecture of thought.
Telekinesis or brain power: its principle of operation
The last few decades have seen telekinesis among the research areas experiencing the greatest resurgence. Like neuroscience and artificial intelligence, it has become the darling of products from Apple, Elon Musk, etc. The latter sees in the human/AI duo the best defense against destruction. The common point of these products is that they use the same process. In other words, with the recording of your brain waves by an implanted or placed device on the skull, we obtain data.
A software will then read and interpret them to transcribe them into computer language. The device then validates the actions to be performed on the environment or the body. This could be commanding a prosthesis or a switch. In contrast to the AlterEgo prototype, which uses subvocalization to transform the power of the brain into telekinesis.
Neuroscientific animations or interacting with objects through the power of the brain
Thanks to the intriguing aspect of this type of animation, neuroscience grants the adopting society an innovative image. It is known that a participant who has been delighted and mesmerized by a brain presentation will act as a true ambassador for the organizing company of the event with their experience sharing. Using an electroencephalograph headset and electrodes, we record the signals emitted by a person’s brain.
These mental actions are then identified by a classification algorithm that will associate them with the movement of a connected object. This is the case of drone piloting through the power of the brain or telekinesis. Similarly for the neuro-artistic painting which consists of translating brain waves into a real artistic creation. As a keepsake, the participant can keep a photo of their creation, equipped with a QR Code allowing them to view all the steps. (Up to 30 pictures).
