Scientists have developed a brain implant that can read people's minds and turn their thoughts to speech.They add that their findings,Experts said the findings were compelling and offered hope of restoring speech.First an electrode is implanted in the brain to pick up the electrical signals that manoeuvre the lips, tongue, voice box and jaw.
Then powerful computing is used to simulate how the movements in the mouth and throat would form different sounds.You might think it would be easier to scour the brain for the pattern of electrical signals that code for each word.Instead it was focusing on the shape of the mouth and the sounds it would produce that allowed the scientists to achieve a world first.
"This is an exhilarating proof of principle that, with technology that is already within reach, we should be able to build a device that is clinically viable in patients with speech loss."Media playback is unsupported on your deviceThe system is better with prolonged sounds like the"sh" in ship than with abrupt sounds such as the"buh" sound in"books".
In experiments with five people, who read hundreds of sentences, listeners were able to discern what was being spoken up to 70% of the time when they were given a list of words to choose from.
Much as we appreciate the coverage, to be sure, we don't decode thought (as relates to cognitive processes involving mental representations of words), but the vocal movements underlying fluent speech production that's more downstream.
Wouldn’t like that ! Drop me right in the poop !
BBCWorld If I had it implanted, I would be jailed for disturbing the peace after midnight.
I could see this either helping a lot of people or causing a lot of problems at work
This is devastating news , big brother level 100
That could get me into a lot of trouble!
Hope it has an off button.
BBCWorld *is that me who smells*
KevlinHenney This is bound to cause problems.
BBCWorld Great for those who need it, I on the other hand would be institutionalised
BBCWorld Functionally and technically, CRISPR makes this invasive approach to medicine obsolete.
BBCWorld That’s good for those who are unable to speak, but terrible for people like me. They would have to lock me In a tower to save feelings. 😂
yay we'll have real thought police soon.
BBCWorld 🙄😲🤭🤫
I’d best sit this one out 🤣🤣🤣
If this ever works then people will be able to read others’ minds—and that could destroy society IMHO. But I doubt it ever WILL work.
Amazing!
Oh dear, I’ll not be allowed out in public, especially in the summer.....
BBCWorld We're getting there:
BBCWorld If you install this device in “some politicians” in my country, there’ll be no speech. They don’t think. There’ll be no thought to turn into speech.
...compulsory for all politicians!
BBCWorld Great discovery for people with speech impairment, but what about others? It will invite a disaster , believe me😉
Brilliant news for all those lost hidden voices trapped by a brain injury or neurological disorder. aphasia braininjury underfunded
Reminds me a little of Mitchell and Webb’s Green Clarinet Man (!)
This will screw up all the Social Justice Warriors? If what they are thinking gets broadcast, well all know they have been align billox for years. Theresa May Sadiq Khan Donald Tusk All having their real thoughts coming out of their mouths. Fantastic!
Any chance you could try this out on the PM. Might just make her think .
So... Twitter
Give one to Trump, but cross the wires😂
Anyone fancy reading Ian M Banks? Bit of Culture? No?
Fantastic news for a lot of people with speech disorders or neurological conditions.
My thoughts into words, 50 years and we will all have to have one! You really don't want to know what I'm thinking!
Really clever that,hope it makes a HUGE difference to people,🙏👍
New discovery. .......unveiling New horizon ?
Great achievement
Technological Tourette’s. Nice.
I hope it can be turned OFF when there's a need ;-) lol
That's rather Orwellian