Visually impaired people may soon be able to “see” the world
around them without the need forimplants or surgery.
The BrainPort device, created by Wisconsin-based Wicab,
Inc., consists of a pair of sunglasses with an embedded camera,
a hand-held CPU/controller, and an electrode-laden paddle
which sits on the user’s tongue. Visual information is passed
through the camera, turned into electric impulses, and related
to the brain through the tongue.
around them without the need forimplants or surgery.
The BrainPort device, created by Wisconsin-based Wicab,
Inc., consists of a pair of sunglasses with an embedded camera,
a hand-held CPU/controller, and an electrode-laden paddle
which sits on the user’s tongue. Visual information is passed
through the camera, turned into electric impulses, and related
to the brain through the tongue.
Certain electrodes provide an electric charge, while others
convey no charge. The impulses aren’t painful; some users
describe them as feeling like champagne bubbles on the tongue.
The large number of nerve endings in the tongue process the
impulses into a grainy black-and-white image, allowing the user
to “see” his or her surroundings. Though it’s been tested and
is known to work, the curious thing is that no one is sure exactly
how it works: does the brain interpret the signals as visual or
tactile? Different interpretations by the brain would mean that
different cortices are activated. Regardless of which cortex
processes the information, though, the user is able to effectively
make out high-contrast shapes, movement and even some
aspects of perspective. The current resolution is between 400
and 600 points, but the makers are currently working on models
with much higher resolution.
convey no charge. The impulses aren’t painful; some users
describe them as feeling like champagne bubbles on the tongue.
The large number of nerve endings in the tongue process the
impulses into a grainy black-and-white image, allowing the user
to “see” his or her surroundings. Though it’s been tested and
is known to work, the curious thing is that no one is sure exactly
how it works: does the brain interpret the signals as visual or
tactile? Different interpretations by the brain would mean that
different cortices are activated. Regardless of which cortex
processes the information, though, the user is able to effectively
make out high-contrast shapes, movement and even some
aspects of perspective. The current resolution is between 400
and 600 points, but the makers are currently working on models
with much higher resolution.
Since the BrainPort doesn’t rely on implants, surgery or
irreversible changes to the body, it has to potential to be
a widely-used device. It could be used by people with a wide
range of visual impairments, from those with macular
degeneration to those who are completely blind. There is only
a very small learning curve when first using the BrainPort; most
users are able to master its use within two to ten hours.
Within minutes of putting it on for the first time, users
begin to understand spacial relation and movement.
The device is currently being tested by subjects and will
soon be evaluated by the FDA.
irreversible changes to the body, it has to potential to be
a widely-used device. It could be used by people with a wide
range of visual impairments, from those with macular
degeneration to those who are completely blind. There is only
a very small learning curve when first using the BrainPort; most
users are able to master its use within two to ten hours.
Within minutes of putting it on for the first time, users
begin to understand spacial relation and movement.
The device is currently being tested by subjects and will
soon be evaluated by the FDA.
