A new tech start-up has announced a groundbreaking hat that allegedly can read your thoughts and convert them into commands for a computer.
While there’s been much discussion around brain implants that involve surgical procedures and inserting microchips into the brain, Savi claims its hats work differently. Instead, they assert that their beanies and caps are equipped with advanced technology.
According to CEO Rahul Chhabra, these hats contain between 70,000 and 100,000 sensors capable of pinpointing specific neural activity and interpreting people’s thoughts, translating them into computer commands.
The concept behind Savi’s Cap is that users can think of a word they want to type, and it will appear on the screen, which may change the way we communicate digitally.
However, despite Savi’s confidence that the product, termed a brain-computer interface (BCI), will hit the market by year’s end, very few individuals outside the company have had the opportunity to try it.
Insider sources indicated that initial trials have been conducted with investors, and they reportedly were pleased with early results, yet no independent verification has been offered.
It seems especially intriguing for those who’ve been in the BCI field for two decades. “If this really works, it could be amazing,” commented neurotechnology advisor Jojo Pratt, even though she hasn’t seen the Savi device herself. She noted the significance of its extensive sensor network; typical external brain readers utilize only a fraction of that.
“They focus on motor intent and interpret neural signals for text recognition,” Pratt elaborated. She also mentioned a compelling demo using ALS patients, which could connect directly to devices.
Although Chhabra hasn’t answered many questions directed to him, if the device lives up to its claims, it would represent a significant leap forward in technology.
Currently, most BCI technologies from companies like Elon Musk’s and Apple necessitate some sort of implantation in or near the brain.
Such technologies have already made positive impacts on many lives, particularly those who’ve faced major injuries or degenerative conditions.
Brain implants often utilize an intracranial EEG to convert thoughts into words displayed on a computer screen. This can be paired with AI to help those who can’t talk convey their thoughts using their historic voice.
For instance, Ian Burkhardt, founder of a foundation aimed at assisting those with similar injuries, had a chip placed in his brain to regain hand movement after a diving accident. He’s seen firsthand the difference this technology makes in others’ lives, where people can finally vocalize their thoughts after years.
Rob Franklin, a senior VP of BlackRock Neurotech, mentioned how their groundbreaking work in BCIs has profoundly transformed lives. Take, for example, Casey Harrell, who has ALS and now communicates with a high degree of accuracy thanks to implanted devices.
Neuralink, another talked-about company led by Musk, is also exploring these options. They delve into using robotic-assisted implantation alongside patients with spinal cord injuries or paralysis, allowing them to interact with various technology using just their thoughts.
Such innovations are being investigated by other companies as well, including Merge Labs, which aims to eliminate the need for implants altogether, focusing on a non-invasive method that decodes brain waves.
Nevertheless, adding chips to human brains remains a risky choice. The brain’s complexity poses significant challenges. Currently, only a few hundred people in the U.S. have BCIs, and most are still undergoing experimental stages.
The notion of a non-invasive option that can accurately interpret brain signals seems almost too good to be true to some experts in the industry.
Interestingly, while the Savi hats are available in various styles, they face challenges like hair interfering with the sensory readings. Pratt highlights that different hair types can complicate reading brain waves accurately, which might be why Savi’s solution involves so many sensors.
Until we see enough advancements, it seems many of us will remain typing away at our keyboards, especially in the U.S.
Interestingly, China has recently approved a brain-computer interface for commercial use, which sparks curiosity about the potential for similar options becoming available in the future.
But for those considering traveling to China for such procedures, Pratt advises caution. “That’s not something I would do,” she notes, “but it could be a possibility for others.”
