Is There Mind Reading Technology?

What is this new piece of technology?

The system consists of a wearable device and an associated computing system. Electrodes in the device pick up neuro-muscular signals in the jaw and face that are triggered by internal verbalizations. The signals are fed to a machine-learning system that has been trained to correlate particular signals with particular words.

How does the device work?

The device also includes a pair of bone-conduction headphones, which transmit vibrations through the bones of the face to the inner ear. Because they don’t obstruct the ear canal, the headphones enable the system to convey information to the user without interrupting conversation or otherwise interfering with the user’s auditory experience.

The device is thus part of a complete silent-computing system that lets the user undetectably receive answers to difficult problems. In one of the researchers’ experiments, subjects used the system to silently report opponents moves in a chess game.

This relates to engineering because it involves technology and science. Engineering was required to create sound transmissions. Designing was also used when trying to make it as safe as possible and not obstruct someone’s ear canal.