Brain-to-computer UI may let paralyzed patients ability to type

Researchers at Stanford University have created the world's fastest brain-to-computer user interface (UI), which will be used by paralyzed patients. The UI's speed is determined by how fast the patient is able to type using an on-screen display of letters.

The researchers tested three patients: two with ALS and one with a spinal injury. To type, the test subjects thought about the moving cursor on the screen, while their hands remained stationary. The UI interpreted the user's thoughts and moved the mouse in correspondence with signals from the brain.

One of the three patients achieved a study high of 39 characters per minute without using word-completion tools, which are normally found on smartphone operating systems. However, if such technology were to be used in combination with the interface, paralyzed patients could become as adept at typing as healthy individuals.

There are still a number of obstacles in the way of the technology becoming commercially viable. For example, developers need to engineer long-lasting wireless implants that don't cause infections.

Click here to see the technology in action.