The Next Frontier - Using Thought to Control Machines
Bicheng Han, Founder of BrainCo and BrainRobotics
Brain Machine Interface (BMI) is the next generation technology following Artificial Intelligence. Bicheng Han is honored to have been in this field for the past 8 years. The two companies that Han founded, BrainCo and BrainRobotics, have both been identified as two of the top BMI companies in the world.
After years of research, Han developed a EEG detecting headband called Focus. Focus can read brain signals at medical level precision. It is easy to wear with a streamlined design, and weighs less than 90 grams, making it comfortable even for long term use. Additionally, the team carried out experiments and made improvements on NASA's attention level algorithm, which enables Focus to detect the user's attention level accurately and in real time. They also conducted extensive market research, and decided to position the Focus product in the education market. Through this product, teachers will get feedback to understand students' classroom attention levels, and students can improve their focus and learning efficiency.
Han is also leading the development of another headband product, Lucy, for ADHD patients. It is based on neurofeedback training principles which have been shown to have a positive impact on ADHD symptoms with virtually no side effects compared to drug therapies. Traditional neurofeedback treatment costs thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. Lucy detects brainwave signals with the same medical grade precision as traditional neurofeedback, but it is light and portable so that children can enjoy training at home. The team plans to take Lucy through the FDA approval process so that they can incorporate this training into insurance plans to better benefit the more than 6 million ADHD patients worldwide.
Meanwhile, Han set up a social impact project called BrainRobotics, which is dedicated to making smart prostheses for people with disabilities. Their prosthesis can help people control the movement of a robotic arm and fingers through EMG (muscle) signals. People with disabilities can use the robotic hand to complete most of their normal activities after a brief training period. This product can greatly improve the user's quality of life. The team is also able to reduce the price of smart prosthetics from the current market price of $70,000 down to about $3,000 to better serve the needs of disabled people around the world. Han believes that great science should not only serve the wealthy, but be used to help those who really need it. Han desires to better utilize his knowledge to improve people's lives and create a better future.