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When someone loses the ability to speak because of a neurological condition like ALS, the impact goes far beyond words. It affects each part of daily life, from sharing a joke with the family to the simple request for help. Now, thanks to a team from the University of California in Davis, there is a new interface system to compare brain (BCI) which opens up a natural conversation in real time for people who cannot speak. This technology is not only to convert thoughts into text. Instead, this translates brain signals that would normally control the muscles used for speech, allowing users to “speak” and even “sing” through a computer, almost instantly.
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There is a new Brain-Computer interface system (BCI) which opens a natural conversation in real time for people who cannot speak. (UC Davis)
Speech in real time through brain signals
The heart of this system is four microelectrodes networks, surgically established in the part of the brain responsible for speech production. These small devices collect the neuronal activity that occurs when someone tries to speak. The signals are then introduced into a decoding model powered by AI, which transforms them into audible speech into just ten milliseconds. It is so fast, it is as natural as a regular conversation.
What is particularly remarkable is that the system can recreate the user’s own voice, thanks to a vocal cloning algorithm formed on the records made before the start of the ALS. This means that the digital voice of the person sounds like them, not a generic computer voice. The system even recognizes when the user tries to sing and can change the terrain to match simple melodies. He can also resume vocal nuances, such as asking a question, highlighting a word or doing interjections such as “Aah”, “Ooh” or “Hmm”. All of this is added to a much more expressive and human consonance conversation that previous technologies could not offer.
This reflects brain signals that would normally control the muscles used for speech, allowing users to “speak” and even “sing” through a computer, almost instantly. (UC Davis)
How does technology work
The process begins with the participant who tries to talk about the sentences displayed on a screen. As they try to train each word, the electrodes capture the hundreds of neurons shooting models. AI learns to map these models to specific sounds, reconstructing speech in real time. This approach allows a subtle control on the rhythm and the tone of speech, giving the user the possibility of interrupting, underline or asking questions like anyone else.
One of the most striking results in the UC Davis study was that listeners could include almost 60% of synthesized words, compared to only four percent without BCI. The system has also managed new invented words that were not one of its training data, showing its flexibility and adaptability.
AI learns to map these models to specific sounds, reconstructing speech in real time. (UC Davis)
The impact on daily life
Being able to communicate in real time, with your own voice and personality, changes the situation for people living with paralysis. The UC Davis team stresses that this technology allows users to be more included in conversations. They can interrupt, respond quickly and express themselves with nuance. This is a big change compared to previous systems which only translated the brain signals into text, which has often led to slow and stowed exchanges which looked more like SMS than to speak.
As David Brandman said, the neurosurgeon involved in the study, our voice is an essential element of our identity. Losing it is devastating, but this type of technology offers a real hope of restoring this essential part of who we are.
The UC Davis team stresses that this technology allows users to be more included in conversations. (UC Davis)
In the front: the next steps and challenges
Although these first results are promising, researchers quickly point out that technology is still in its infancy. So far, it has only been tested with one participant, so other studies are necessary to see how it works for others, including people with different causes of speaking, such as a stroke. The clinical trial from Braingate2 to UC Davis Health continues to register for participants to refine and test the system more.
Technology is still in its infancy. (UC Davis)
Kurt’s main dishes
The restoration of natural and expressive speech for people who have lost their voices is one of the most significant progress in brain interface technology. This new UC Davis system shows that it is possible to bring personal conversation in real time in the lives of people affected by paralysis. Although there is still work to be done, progress until now gives people a chance to reconnect with their loved ones and the world around them in a way that really looks like their own.
As brain-manager interfaces become more advanced, where should we trace the line between improving the life and modification of the essence of human interaction? Let us know by writing to Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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