Chinese scientists have developed the world’s first two-way adaptive brain-computer interface (BCI), significantly enhancing efficiency and paving the way for practical applications. According to the new study, the system boosts efficiency 100-fold compared to traditional BCIs. Researchers from Tianjin University and Tsinghua University claim their innovation could soon be integrated into wearable and portable devices for medical and consumer use. This system allows both the brain and machine to learn from each other, unlike conventional BCIs that only decode brain signals. This interaction ensures stable performance over time.
The researchers discovered that changes in brain signals were not just random fluctuations caused by emotions or fatigue. Instead, these variations were influenced by how the brain interacts with a BCI. Using this insight, they developed a dual-loop framework using a memristor chip, an energy-efficient hardware component that mimics neural networks, to create a more natural interaction between brain and machine. The system consists of two key loops: a machine learning loop that continuously updates the decoder to adapt to the brain’s signal variations and a brain learning loop that helps the user refine control through real-time feedback.
More information:
https://interestingengineering.com/science/worlds-first-2-way-bci-china