How to design a better brain-computer interface that leverages a person's natural ability to learn

What is it about?

Brain computer interfaces, or BCIs, are devices that use brain activity to directly control a device, like a computer cursor or a robotic limb. The hope is that one day we could use this technology to restore motor control to those who have lost it through injury or disease. Most BCIs are designed to leverage a brain's natural ability to control a limb. However, a computer cursor isn't a limb, and even a robotic arm doesn't behave like a natural arm. If we could leverage a person's natural ability to learn, we might be able to give subjects better control of the device than if we assume they should control it like a limb. This paper takes a step toward this goal.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

If we can leverage a person's natural learning ability, we should be able to create neural prostheses that work better.