Conor Russomanno: A powerful new neurotech tool for augmenting your mind

A powerful new neurotech tool for augmenting your mind

In an astonishing talk and tech demo, neurotechnologist Conor Russomanno shares his work building brain-computer interfaces that could enable us to control the external world with our minds. He discusses the quickly advancing possibilities of this field -- including the promise of a "closed-loop system" that could both record and stimulate brain activity -- and invites neurohacker Christian Bayerlein onto the TED stage to fly a mind-controlled drone by using a biosensing headset.

Brain-computer interfaces are rapidly advancing, offering new ways for people to interact with technology and their own bodies. In a powerful demonstration, a man with limited mobility used a biosensing headset to control a drone using signals from dormant muscles. Integrating sensors that capture data from muscles, eyes, heart, and environment creates a richer, more actionable understanding of human cognition. These tools promise to empower people with disabilities and inspire fresh approaches to empathy and mental health.