Elon Musk’s company called Neuralink, launched in 2016, aims to implant a piece of technology in people’s brains that would allow them to control a computer or phone by thought alone. This is otherwise known as a brain-computer interface. After years of experimenting on animals, Neuralink recently announced the implantation of one of their devices in the brain of a person.
In the article Simon and Allan discuss the future of neurotechnology and the many potential benefits it offers, including helping people with disabilities to regain capacities, the development of super soldiers and robotic army dogs.
We can envisage all kinds of scenarios. In future, it’s possible that those who operate critical infrastructure in cities could have their brains monitored to prevent accidents. People with mobility issues might increasingly interact with devices in their home, turning lights on and off and controlling domestic robots via their brain-computer interfaces.
This is part of the UI research theme on Urban Automation and Robotics.
For further information you can also watch lectures delivered as part of the fourth Sheffield Urbanism Series - Robotic restructuring: Cities, climate and ecology.