Executive Summary
Brain computer interface is basically an emerging technology that helps in
developing collaboration between a device and brain through which it enables the
complete and effective signals from the peripheral part of the brain in order to
direct various activities that are external to the functionality of the brain
such as prosthetic limb and cursor control. BCI provides the assistance to carry
out a pathway for direct and effective communication between various surrounding
objects and brain. Brain-computer interface is basically a communication method
that is entirely based upon the activity of neurons that has been developed and
produced by the brain and exhibits an independent output of peripheral pathways
related to muscles and nerves. The activity of the neural part of the brain has
been utilized in the entire process of brain computer interface that can help in
recording different output by utilizing techniques that are non invasive or are
invasive in nature. The basic aim behind the introduction of the brain computer
interface is to provide a channel that is entirely new for producing the
specific output from the human brain and for fulfilling the entire purpose,
adaptive control that is voluntary in nature is being required by the user of
the BCI.
Description
Brain computer interfaces (BCIs) in the modern era have become omnipresent.
Devices which in other words are known as interfaces make use of keyboards and
mouse to communicate with the computing devices on daily basis. The development
needs are expanding day by day due to which Brain Computer Interfaces (HCIs) has
been introduced which is basically a tool to be used where these old interfaces
are not feasible. The developing field of direct Brain-computer interfaces (BCI)
has broaden the form of functionality to HCI for those users who are not able to
execute certain commands on their HCI devices using their muscular movements.
Brain Computer Interfaces has given a new dimension to users as it has created a
transmission channel for them for manoeuvring their desired commands thorough
this interface (Vallabhaneni, 2003).
Analysis of technology use in business
The brain interface has been utilized extensively in various businesses and its
vast application has been reported to be utilized in the field of Management
Information System (MIS). It help in assistance of developing a web site that
incorporates a user friendly feature and it has been reported to be as
successful factor that provides a substantial support in developing and
promoting the businesses specifically related to the web content. It is a newly
advanced technology that a company wishes to adopt as it helps in engaging in
various types of businesses related to e commerce in order to address general
solutions to particular issues faced by variety of businesses, both
technologically and strategically. Brain computer interface utilizes different
sources of the internet and other technologies which are digital in nature for
conducting various businesses in accordance with business to consumer and
business to business issues (Southampton Management School). Communication
restoration is one of the priorities that most businesses need to acknowledge in
order to provide assistance to disable individuals. Various movements of the
people are restored through the assistance of the business computer interface
that is unable to have control over their motor abilities (Moore, 2003).
Despite of various advancement in the technological field and in various other
industries related to services, the brain computer interfaces has been
considered as one of the under researched and unexplored technology within the
industry of the hospitality. Brain computer interface can help in minimizing the
hurdles that come across between the recognition of employees and the guests
regarding the level of accomplishment and the usage of the technology that is
considered as user friendly in nature. Various different business dealing with
the hotels, hospitality and restaurants have realized the increasing and
emerging importance of the brain computer interface as an excessive amount of
the strength that is highly competitive in nature and enhancement in the rate of
the profitability is being ensured through the widespread use of the brain
computer interface technology (Wei, 2012).
Benefits of BCI in companies
From the new and emerging technology of the brain computer interface, following
benefits could be attained by a specific company (information Technology, 2009).
These may include;
• It allows various paralyzed individuals who are working in organizations as
employees to control and resolve a particular issue with the assistance of the
prosthetic limbs signals provided by their mind through the assistance of brain
computer interface.
• Visual images are being transmitted to the brain of a blind employee which
ultimately allows them to see in an effective way and assist them in enhancing
the level of their production at work place.
• Auditory data is being transmitted through the assistance of brain computer
interface to the brain of the deaf individual who helps them in hearing the
sounds.
• Mute person is allowed to display his thoughts through the assistance of the
brain computer interface.
Risks
The utilization of the brain computer interface is an issue that is
controversial in nature. There are different and enormous numbers of the
benefits associated with its use but few risks are being experienced as well if
the technology is not adopted. If the brain computer interface technology will
not be adopted by the businesses, a decrease in the resolution, emotional
monitoring, smell and sounds will occur that will substantially affects the
activities of the businesses (Michael). Few risk associated with the ethical
issues in case of brain computer interfaces arises which states that it is not
permissible to make use of the brain computer interface while providing
treatment to the patients when their information consent is not taken. This is
considered as an essential issue with the individuals who have difficulty in the
communication (Wilson). Different issues with possibility of the practical
implementation will be lessened for exposure of the risks to the subjects who
have direct collaboration and relation with the substrate choice, chip
longevity, issues that are telemetry in nature, modulation of signal, strength
and accuracy and software programming (Alpert).
Use of technology
Various different companies all around the globe are making use of the brain
computer interfaces technology as it is considered as one of the essential
element to assist the activities of mind. The technology is being utilized by
companies such as g-tec medical engineering, emotive and neurogadget. All of the
companies are making use of the interactive elements which are being embedded
within the brain computer interface , these interfaces includes EPOC and EEG
through which sensors are tuned and are converted into electrical signals within
the mind of an individual in order to detect expressions, feelings and thoughts
of the people. It is a multi channel and high resolution system which is
supporting the entire advanced and new technology of brain computer interface. (emotive.com,
Gtech Medical Engineering, Neurogadget). Technology is extensively used by
various companies in order to enhance the productivity level of the
organizations and firms. Various different risks and difficulties are being
faced by the companies which are not meeting the define challenges of the brain
computer interface.
Challenges
One of the important challenges faced by the companies is the greater level of
the aspiration which is being required in order to obtain significant
applications of clinical type. One of the biggest challenges faced by the brain
computer interface is the practice that involves standard and a tedious
application for providing the measurements that are accurate and up to date.
Without the technology of the dry cap, the sessions related to the set up of
brain computer interface are essentially difficult. The brain computer interface
is considered as one of the essential technology which is facing the challenge
to develop an effective communication between devices that exist external to the
brain and the brain itself. Another challenge faced by the brain computer
interface is to restore the essential and complete functionality that has been
disabled by the disorders of neuromuscular part of the human body (Doud, 2011).
Comparison of key vendors
With respect to the hardware and software requirements of the brain computer
interface, it cost about for almost $5000 to adopt for the complete package of
the technology. It is used in various homes and organizations because of its
ongoing and substantial support that is highly technical in nature. It has been
widely accepted by various companies all around the world which shows that it
has a greater level of the marketability.
Recommendations
Various recommendations with respect to the use of the brain computer interface
include the complete training to the employees of the organization in order to
deal with the complexity of the issues associated with its use. A high level of
the training will ensure for the increased level of the productivity that will
ultimately enhance the profitability of the firm. Its use should be legal to
resolve the essential issues