Neurotechnology (Devices Powered By The Brain)
(My article that was published in Inc. Turkey)
Neurotechnology, which enables communication with devices using the power of thought by analyzing brain waves, takes human-machine interaction to a whole new level. It has the potential to revolutionize many sectors, including healthcare, education, and entertainment. In this article, we will explore the applications, possibilities, and future impact of neurotechnology.
Neurotechnology allows users to control devices by analyzing brain waves and neural activities, detecting their thoughts and physical movements. This innovative field can bring significant changes to both everyday life and professional areas. Here are some incredible solutions that neurotechnology offers and aims to provide:
Controlling Devices with Thought Power: Naqi’s Neural Earbuds aim to allow users to browse the internet, play games, and control various applications using only their brain power.
Personalized Music Experience: Pebble, developed by MyWaves, creates personalized music playlists by analyzing brain waves. This device scans brain waves while the user sleeps, generating special playlists to help improve sleep quality and overall health.
Revolution in Medicine: Neurotechnology is also used in medical devices that can help paralyzed patients regain mobility. Prosthetics and rehabilitation devices controlled by brain signals have the potential to enhance patients' quality of life. For example, Gert-Jan Oskam, who was paralyzed in a bike accident 12 years ago, began walking again in 2021 thanks to a device implanted in his brain. Another example in this field is Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk.
More Effective Education and Learning: Through neurotechnology, students' attention levels and learning capacities can be monitored, leading to the development of more effective educational methods. When combined with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies, neurotechnology can enable students to learn faster and more efficiently.
Immersive Gaming and Entertainment Experiences: In the gaming industry, neurotechnology can offer more immersive and interactive experiences by allowing users to control games solely with their thoughts. Game controllers that analyze brain waves can enable players to direct in-game characters with their minds.
New Horizons in Psychological Research and Therapies: Neurotechnology is also utilized in psychological research and therapies. For instance, monitoring brain activities can help evaluate mood and stress levels. Neurofeedback therapy, which teaches patients to control their brain waves, can help overcome issues like anxiety and depression.
Despite these significant advantages, neurotechnology also brings some ethical and security concerns. Recording brain waves and neural activities raises issues related to personal privacy and data security. Therefore, it is essential to develop regulations and protocols for the ethical use of these technologies. Additionally, ensuring the security of neurotechnological devices is crucial, as preventing hacking or misuse by malicious individuals is vital. Necessary precautions should be taken in parallel with the technology's development to address these risks.
Neurotechnology is a rapidly advancing field with the potential to fundamentally change user experiences. Products like Naqi’s Neural Earbuds and MyWaves’ Pebble demonstrate how far this technology can go. They allow users to interact with these devices more naturally and efficiently, contributing significantly to fields such as healthcare, psychology, entertainment, and education. However, the ethical and security aspects of these technologies should not be overlooked. It is clear that neurotechnology will be more widely used in the future. We will continue to closely follow the exciting developments in this field.
Mustafa İÇİL
