Unlocking the potential of brain-computer interfaces

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Imagine being able to control a computer with your thoughts—even more easily and quickly than using your hands. That is the goal of Precision Neuroscience.

Using brain-computer interfaces, it aims to transform the lives of people with physical challenges. The Wall Street Journal’s Rolfe Winkler spoke with Michael Mager, co-founder and chief executive of Precision Neuroscience, and Benjamin Rapoport, the company’s co-founder and chief science officer. Here are edited excerpts of their discussion at the annual WSJ Tech Live conference.

WSJ: Brain-computer interfaces, these are very exciting. What do they do? BENJAMIN RAPOPORT: It’s a brain implant that allows you to have direct control of a computer or external device using just your thoughts. WSJ: What are these going to be for? Who’s going to use them? MICHAEL MAGER: People whose brains are functional, but the connection between the brain and the body has been disrupted either by a disease or an injury.

These are the first users. One person on our patient advisory board is Jules, who was diagnosed with ALS [Lou Gehrig’s disease] five years ago. People who have ALS, their brains continue to work totally cogently, but the brain’s ability to control the body deteriorates over time.

The prognosis is three to five years of life expectancy. We asked Jules, why are you dedicating time to us in the remaining time you have left? And what could this technology mean for you? He cited three things. The first is he recently had a tracheotomy, which means he can’t vocalize any words at all.

So he communicates only through an eye tracker. WSJ: He’s looking at a screen. He looks at a letter, the letter pops up.