Three assistive technologies interpret neural signals or visual context and respond without a separate manual command. Advances in neural decoding, wireless hardware and compact computer vision are making these systems smaller and faster. This can reduce effort for the user, but it also makes accuracy, transparency and the ability to override a decision more important.
Paradromics has developed a wireless brain-computer implant that translates a paralysed patient’s neural signals into computer-generated speech in real time. It gives patients a way to communicate without typing or using a physical switch.
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have developed a brain-computer interface that lets paralysed patients control speech and gestures through a personalised virtual avatar. Both forms of expression can happen at the same time, making communication more natural and expressive.
Canada-based smartARM has built a palm-mounted camera into its bionic arm. AI object recognition identifies everyday objects and automatically selects an appropriate grip, reducing the need to switch manually between grip settings.