Scientists have developed a brain-computer interface device that can translate thoughts about speech into spoken words in real time. This experimental device has the potential to give a voice to individuals who are unable to speak, such as those with quadriplegia. In a recent study, the device was tested on a 47-year-old woman who had been unable to speak for 18 years after a stroke. The device, implanted in her brain, was able to convert her intent to speak into fluent sentences without the delays seen in other similar systems.
The device works by recording the woman’s brain activity while she silently thought of sentences, then using a synthesizer to create speech sounds based on her pre-injury voice. An AI model was trained to translate this neural activity into units of sound, allowing for real-time speech generation. The device operates by listening in on the brain’s speech center and processing speech chunks as they are spoken, rather than waiting for complete sentences to be formed.
While further research is needed before the technology can be widely used, the potential for this device to provide a natural and fast-paced speech output is promising. With sustained investments, the researchers believe that the technology could be available to patients within a decade. This development represents a significant advance in the field of brain-computer interfaces for speech and holds promise for improving communication for individuals with speech impairments.
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