In an advancement in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, scientists enabled a 69-year-old man with paralysis to fly a virtual drone through a complex obstacle course using only his thoughts. The team of researchers from the University of Michigan and Stanford University developed a device that deciphers brain activity related to finger movements, allowing for precision in controlling external devices.
According to Nature, the brain-computer interface was implanted in the participant's left precentral gyrus, the region of the brain responsible for controlling fine movements of the hand and fingers. By imagining moving his fingers, the participant could control the virtual drone in real time. The study marks a milestone in restoring fine motor functions for individuals with motor impairments.
"The interface takes the signals created in the motor cortex that occur simply when the participant tries to move their fingers and uses an artificial neural network to interpret what the intentions are to control virtual fingers in the simulation," said Matthew Willsey, a neurosurgeon at the University of Michigan and first author of the study, according to Gizmodo.
The participant, who became tetraplegic after a cervical spinal cord injury, expressed his passion for flying, which inspired the design of the quadcopter simulation. "The goal of doing the quadcopter was really kind of shared between our lab and the participant," said Willsey.
Using machine learning algorithms, the researchers identified neural signals linked to specific finger movements. These signals were then decoded to control the speed and direction of the virtual drone, allowing the participant to maneuver through rings in a virtual basketball court. The brain-computer interface provided a level of precision and freedom of movement superior to previous systems.
Jaimie Henderson, a professor of neurosurgery at Stanford University and co-author of the study, discussed the broader implications of the technology. "A person who can connect with a computer and manipulate a virtual vehicle simply by thinking could eventually be capable of much more," he said, according to Science Daily.
The participant described the experience of piloting the drone as feeling like playing a musical instrument, which evoked a strong sense of activity, recreation, and socialization. "Flying [the virtual drone] is tiny little finesses off a middle line, a little bit up, a little bit down," he explained, as quoted by Nature.
The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, demonstrated the potential of brain-computer interfaces to restore autonomy to individuals with paralysis. Digital Trends noted that with practice, the participant was able to use the brain-computer interface to control the movement and speed of the virtual drone in a simulated obstacle course.
The researchers used an artificial neural network to interpret the participant's brain signals, mapping complex neural activity to specific finger movements. As reported by New Scientist, the neural signals from the man were associated with finger movements, enabling him to pilot the virtual drone through the obstacle course by imagining moving three groups of digits.
"This is a greater degree of functionality than anything previously based on finger movements," said Willsey, according to Popular Science.
The success of the study opens new possibilities for people with paralysis to engage in leisure activities and social interactions that were previously inaccessible. "People want to play and connect with their peers," said the research team. "This technology could meet such needs, as it allows for human connection and fosters a healthy level of socialization."
The participant, who had electrodes implanted in his motor cortex, worked closely with the research team, expressing enthusiasm and a desire for more "stick time" to improve his performance. Nature reported that he often requested video clips of his quadcopter flights to share with friends.
While the results are promising, the researchers acknowledged that further work is needed to make BCI use safe in difficult tasks and to address health and psychological implications. As noted by ABP News, challenges remain with BCI technology, including medical risks from the surgery required to implant a BCI device.
The ability to control multiple fingers in a coordinated manner opens the door to multifunctional applications, potentially enabling individuals with paralysis to perform a wider range of activities, such as typing or playing complex video games.
The BrainGate2 clinical trials, of which the study is a part, intended to determine how people with tetraplegia can use a neural interface to control assistive devices and navigate communication software.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq