Brain-computer interface (BCI) is a technology that agree to communicate between a human-brain with an external technology. The term can be referred to an interface that takes signals from the brain to an external piece of hardware that sends signals to the brain. There are different brain-computer interface technologies developed, through different methods and for diversified purposes, including in virtual reality technology.

What is a BCI?

Simply put, a brain-computer interface is a way to connect the brain to an external device in order to send and/or receive information directly from it. They’re nothing new as research started in the early 70’s, so why are they gaining so much attention lately?

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While Neuralink presents a technical milestone in permitting high-fidelity recording of an unusually large number of biological neurons, it is not unique in concept – recent years have seen a surge in the number of next-generation implantable BCI prototypes developed in both academic labs, and also in industry. Companies like Kernel, Mindmaze, Longeviti, Neuropace, Neurable, Medtronic, and CTRL-Labs (which Facebook has just announced the acquisition of), along with Neuralink, are developing BCIs for many research and medical uses. In fact, there are already several hundreds of individuals with FDA-approved implantable BCIs nationally.

The key players influencing the market are Integra LifeSciences Corporation., Mindmaze, CASMED, EMOTIV, Compumedics Limited, Advanced Brain Monitoring, Inc., Natus Medical Incorporated., OpenBCI, Cadwell Industries, Inc., and Cortech Solutions

Principled computer architecture techniques will be vital to unlock the full range of brain-computer interactions that BCIs offer. Modern BCIs are domain-specific (i.e., they generally treat a particular class of diseases in a particular brain region, or enable a particular technology), and there is a need to build more general-purpose BCI platforms.

The growing healthcare infrastructure in the developing economies such as India, is expected to provide huge opportunities for the growth of BCI technology in the region. As the healthcare infrastructure improves, innovative systems that improve the lives of the disabled are encouraged. Also, the government in such regions is expected to contribute funds for the welfare of the population that creates immense opportunities for the R&D of BCI technology. Moreover, as per a WHO report, around 82 million people will be affected by dementia by year 2030, which directs the potential demand for BCI in the upcoming years. Growing occurrence of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy are anticipated to fuel the demand for brain computer interface during the forecast period.

The technology whereby miniaturization of several electronic components is made possible on a single chip is referred to as flexible circuit technology. The flexible circuit technology eliminates the need to build a separate chip to support individual electronic components. In BCI technology, flexible electronics, due to their versatility, have enabled implementing pressure sensors in blood vessels and electrodes on the heart. They are also biocompatible with the brain as compared to silicon chips. The data is then transferred to external devices.

References: https://www.sigarch.org/computer-architecture-for-brain-computer-interfaces/

https://medium.com/advances-in-biological-science/the-future-of-perception-brain-computer-interfaces-part-2-4b69970d8ba9

https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/brain-computer-interface-bci-market