Reliable communication for people with paralysis is nearing reality. Researchers have now demonstrated that a brain-computer interface can reliably translate thoughts into speech, including matching a person’s intended tone and pitch.
It is the second study in as many months to validate the concept’s safety and initial efficacy. The findings are welcome news for a field that has spent decades trying to transform brain activity into reliable communication for people with paralysis.
“Ten years ago … we were talking about point-and-click-based communication for people with paralysis,” said David Brandman, a study co-author and neurosurgeon at the University of California, Davis. “And now we’re talking about creating a digital voice box.”
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