DARPA Program Seeks Brain-To-Computer Translator Implant

DARPA has revealed details on a new program that is looking to create neural interface implants for transferring data between the digital world and the human brain. According to the research entity, this implant, should it be successfully developed, will serve as a translator for the data between the two, taking data from the brain and translating it into something for computers, and taking data from computers and translating it for the brain.

Says DARPA, it wants this neural interface implant to give "unprecedented signal resolution and data-transfer bandwidth" for the aforementioned purposes. The device itself will have to be small, less than a single cubic centimeter, says DARPA. As well, and quite obviously, it will also have to be biocompatible.

DARPA has dubbed this newest program NESD, which stands for Neural Engineering System Design and, assuming it proves fruitful, it will open doors for new types of therapies as well as better research and understanding in the field of neurotechnology.

NESD's Program Manager Phillip Alvelda said in a statement:

Today's best brain-computer interface systems are like two supercomputers trying to talk to each other using an old 300-baud modem. Imagine what will become possible when we upgrade our tools to really open the channel between the human brain and modern electronics.

SOURCE: DARPA