Posting Tweets with Brain Power

Like any new technology, the current incarnation of brain-controlled devices is relatively clumsy and slow.  The same was said about the cell phone, which upon its advent was merely a plastic brick with an antenna but, in the few decades since its inception, has become a tiny, touch-sensitive masterpiece.  The brain is capable of accomplishing tasks much quicker than the appendages to which it is attached so, if the technology that reads the brain directly were to be improved, tasks could be completed at a much greater speed and with better accuracy than is currently possible.

While the current applications are now rooted in bringing basic life functions back to the disabled, the future of brain-controlled technology could apply to literally any facet of daily life.  Video games could be played with no frustrating coordination errors, automobiles could be driven in a safer manner by having control over the vehicle with barely any reaction time, and the famed “clapper” light switch could be activated by simply thinking about clapping twice.  These are just a few of the multitude of applications that would make life completely hands (and feet) free.  Of course, these applications are years in the future and rely on scientists being able to accurately measure and decode the brain, which is quite a massive challenge.

It would certainly be easier for humanity to simply think through life aided by brain-reading technology, but this is still quite a few years away.  It seems as though we will have to take solace in the fact that these mind-reading hats are already helping those who have real disabilities.  No, brain-to-computer typing is not yet better than using some fingers, but it is certainly a start in the right direction.