Investing in Robotic Technology

But Will It Play The Piano?
August 8, 2007

Japanese researchers have developed a robotic hand that displays remarkable responsiveness — and it’s controlled by thought alone. I’ll tell you more in a moment. But first…

One of the challenges associated with robotic prosthetics has been the ability to replicate the fine motor control of human hands without cumbersome interfaces.

Newscientist.com reports that Dr. Yukiyasu Kamitani and fellow researchers at ATR Computational Neuroscience Laboratories, collaborating with scientists from Honda Research Institute, have figured out a way to control a robotic hand by thought alone.

It’s only a start, but it’s a start with important implications.

People are placed inside an MRI scanner, a device that monitors and measures brain waves. They play the “rock, paper, scissors” game with their right hand. As they do this, the scanner records the brainwave patterns associated with each distinct shape.

This is standardized using statistical techniques and recorded. What’s exciting is that, using the combination of MRI, a computer and a robotic hand, the subjects were then able to think of the same pattern and the computer system would guide the robot hand to make it, just like a human hand.

Obviously, this will need to be considerably refined to serve in prosthetics. But consider the potential benefits:

• Unlike implanted electrodes, it’s non-surgical and allows for a more robust scan of brainwave activity and patterns.
• The training is quick, and nonverbal. This makes it suitable for both children and those unable to speak or write.
• While it's currently being used with hands, in principle it could work with feet and various body muscles. Basically, a person who's paralyzed on one side of his or her body, in whole or in part due to a loss of communication between brain and body, could potentially use this to regain the control. All they'd have to do is “model” the function of their good side.
• It could be used to augment human capabilities. For example, soldiers could be equipped with exoskeletons that tremendously enhance their strength and other capabilities.

Although the technology is in a primitive state, it's just beginning. Every successful mapping of a certain brainwave pattern to a certain shape or activity increases the “vocabulary” of this unique computer-assistive telepathic interface.

Further, it's probable that there are common brainwave patterns many or all of us use to represent the same kinds of images or activities. This could lead to a generalized vocabulary and the possibility of replacing speech-recognition with thought recognition in many applications. (If some of these differ by language, it will teach something important about the nature of language which will have other benefits.)

While some may worry that this kind of technology edges us ever closer to the world of George Orwell's 1984 (a world that some would argue has already been achieved and surpassed; see for example the website www.wanttoknow.info), technology is by itself neutral.

For example, consider the concept of universal surveillance — a possibility brought much closer by thought recognition technology. From one point of view, such surveillance could eliminate crime and bring better responses to accidents and disasters. From another point of view, it could end privacy and bring totalitarianism.

If only the central authorities have access to surveillance information, it is true that personal liberty will probably soon be extinguished. On the other hand, if everyone were given access to such surveillance information, it would create an era of transparent government with full accountability and citizen empowerment.

Technology is neutral. What matters is how the technology is used.

To your profitable future,
Jonathan Kolber

P.S.: I truly believe that technology is neutral. Because of this, I am able to seek out some investment opportunities that keep others away. By doing this, I have led the readers of my newsletter, Emerging Capital Report, to gains of 133%, 245%, and even 288% in 2007 alone. I am willing to let you in on one of my newest picks that could possibly make you anywhere from a 3,000% to a 6,000% gain. Check it out here…

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Jonathan Kolber is a noted technology analyst and entrepreneur and has co-founded the company behind the disposable DVD movies offered by Disney and other studios... <click here for full bio>