By: Mike Peterson
April 6, 2018
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a device that can, basically, read your mind. At least, sort of.
The prototype device, dubbed AlterEgo, was developed by a team at MIT’s Media Lab. It’s a wearable headset that can actually understand and read the words you say in your head (your “inner voice”). And while it isn’t — technically — mind-reading, it comes about as close as we’ve seen.
AlterEgo relies on a process called subvocalization. Basically, when you say words to yourself in your head, your brain automatically sends signals to your mouth and jaw. That results in extremely subtle neuromuscular movements. The device detects these signals with a suite of sixteen electrodes. Built-in A.I. can then analyze these signals and match them to specific words.