BrainPort Lets the Blind "See" With Their Tongues 131
Hugh Pickens writes "Scientific American reports that a new device called 'BrainPort' aims to restore the experience of vision for the blind and visually impaired by relying on the nerves on the tongue's surface to send light signals to the brain. BrainPort collects visual data through a small digital video camera and converts the signal into electrical pulses sent to the tongue via a 'lollipop' that sits directly on the tongue, where densely packed nerves receive the incoming electrical signals. White pixels yield a strong electrical pulse and the electrodes spatially correlate with the pixels, so that if the camera detects light fixtures in the middle of a dark hallway, electrical stimulations will occur along the center of the tongue. Within 15 minutes of using the device, blind people can begin interpreting spatial information. 'At first, I was amazed at what the device could do,' says research director William Seiple. 'One guy started to cry when he saw his first letter.'" There is some indication that the signals from the tongue are processed by the visual cortex. The company developing the BrainPort will submit it to the FDA for approval later this month, and it could be on sale (for around $10,000) by the end of the year.
Hey Sexy! (Score:5, Funny)
Oooh hello pretty lady, come on over here and let me get a good lick at you.
Skittles ad campaigns finally pay off (Score:5, Funny)
tastes like... (Score:2, Funny)
Does that mean ugly girls "taste like shit"?
Colours (Score:2, Funny)
So what does blue taste like?
Re:Colours (Score:4, Funny)
It tastes like oranges.
First tongue death? (Score:2, Funny)
Who'll be the first to choke to death on Goatse?
Re:Hey Sexy! (Score:5, Funny)
The device in on your tongue... hmmm...
"Oooh heyo preyee ledy, coo on ower here an leh ey geh a goo lig ah yo."
Could give another meaning... (Score:2, Funny)
Now they must build magnetic orientation belts, infrared patches and smelly radiation detectors.
Re:Skittles ad campaigns finally pay off (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Skittles ad campaigns finally pay off (Score:5, Funny)
Memory wipe (Score:3, Funny)