On the next generation entrance of the metauniverse -- the implementation of brain computer interface

When it comes to brain computer interfaces , In most people's impression , This is a fantasy that exists in the future “ Black science and technology ”, Many people know it from science fiction . With the sudden rise of the meta universe , People have great expectations for the integration and interaction between the virtual world and the real world , Brain computer interface , It is also considered by many people that this will be a very excellent entrance into the meta universe in the future .

The human brain has nearly 860 Billion neurons , These neurons control human movement 、 Study 、 reflection 、 memory 、 Language and other activities . Some researchers have estimated , If the computer is used to completely simulate the function of the human brain , Then the computing power of this computer needs to reach at least 172 PFlops, This is a higher computing power than most current supercomputers . according to the understanding of , The more advanced supercomputer in the United States Summit Computing power is also 122.3 PFlops.

The powerful computing potential of the human brain , Many researchers have been very “ be envious ”, Research on brain computer interface , Nature does not just exist in fantasy . As early as 1976 year , Jacques of the University of California · Vidal put forward the definition and concept of brain computer interface .

The implementation of brain computer interface needs signal acquisition 、 Information decoding 、 Signal output / perform 、 The four processes of information feedback . In these processes , The key is signal acquisition , So that the information transmitted by brain signals can be expressed through machine language , And the subsequent process , It can be said that as long as the signal acquisition is successful , The corresponding work is relatively easy to achieve .

After years of research , In terms of signal acquisition , There are already relatively perfect technologies , Including EEG 、 Functional near infrared spectroscopy （fNIRS）、 Functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI） Isoelectric 、 light 、 Magnetic multiple collection methods . among , Due to the high temporal resolution of EEG 、 The equipment is relatively cheap , It has become the mainstream signal acquisition method in brain computer interface .

When collecting EEG signals , It is also divided into non intrusive and intrusive schemes .

Non invasive by wearing hardware outside the brain , Measure the EEG signal in the scalp or measure the small magnetic field changes caused by brain current . In terms of existing technology , The accuracy and resolution of non intrusive information are relatively low , Only some simple brain instructions can be collected .

The invasive type is implanted into the gray matter or skull cavity , Because it is closer to the brain , Can receive more accurately 、 Clear transmission of neuroelectric signals , in addition , Intrusive devices can also stimulate the brain through simulated precise current , Enable people to have a more real specific feeling . There are some trauma problems due to invasion , At present, its application is limited to the field of medical rehabilitation . stay 2021 year , The United States Synchron The minimally invasive brain computer interface developed by the company has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for human clinical trials , And successfully applied in clinical rehabilitation treatment .

Now , With people's deeper cognition of the brain and various intelligent algorithms 、 Advances in signal acquisition and feedback technology . BCI is already in bionics 、 Medical diagnosis 、 Consumer electronics and many other fields have been more widely used . There is a prediction analysis that , Brain computer interface in the future 20—30 Mid year , Commercial applications are gradually landing , It will open a market of 100 billion dollars .