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This Device Can Hear You Talking to Yourself
Smithsonian Magazine ^ | August 5, 2019 | Emily Matchar

Posted on 08/06/2019 2:33:41 PM PDT by BenLurkin

Kapur’s new wearable device system, can detect what you’re saying when you’re talking to yourself, even if you’re completely silent and not moving your mouth.

The technology involves a system of sensors that detect the minuscule neuromuscular signals sent by the brain to the vocal cords and muscles of the throat and tongue. These signals are sent out whenever we speak to ourselves silently, even if we make no sounds. The device feeds the signals through an A.I., which “reads” them and turns them into words. The user hears the A.I.’s responses through a microphone that conducts sound through the bones of the skull and ear, making them silent to others. Users can also respond out loud using artificial voice technology.

Kapur is currently testing the device on people with communication limitations through various hospitals and rehabilitation centers in the Boston area. These limitations could be caused by stroke, cerebral palsy or neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. In the case of ALS, the disease affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, progressively robbing people of their ability to use their muscles, including those that control speech. But their brains still send speech signals to the vocal cords and the 100-plus muscles involved in speaking. AlterEgo can capture those signals and turn them into speech. According to Kapur’s research, the system is about 92 percent accurate.

(Excerpt) Read more at smithsonianmag.com ...


TOPICS: Weird Stuff
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I want one for the cat.

Oh wait. Maybe not.

1 posted on 08/06/2019 2:33:41 PM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

big deal, my wife can do that...!!!.


2 posted on 08/06/2019 2:34:53 PM PDT by Red Badger (Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain......................)
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To: BenLurkin

Hell, I go to bed at night and can still hear my ex wife.


3 posted on 08/06/2019 2:37:49 PM PDT by umgud
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To: BenLurkin
Here's the face the device makes when it listens to me.


4 posted on 08/06/2019 2:46:23 PM PDT by DannyTN
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To: BenLurkin

I only think to myself in Chuukese, a language that less than 50,000 people in the world speak.


5 posted on 08/06/2019 2:49:43 PM PDT by Paal Gulli
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To: BenLurkin; Gamecock; SaveFerris; PROCON; Army Air Corps; KC_Lion

“Let me get this straight. You want to sweep with me??”


6 posted on 08/06/2019 2:51:13 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: BenLurkin

One more step.

No Orwell there, right?


7 posted on 08/06/2019 2:54:31 PM PDT by A strike (Import third world become third world)
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To: Paal Gulli

I wonder how it would react to a migraine or seizure sufferer?


8 posted on 08/06/2019 2:59:12 PM PDT by wally_bert (Hola. Me llamo Inspector Carlton Lassiter. Me gusta queso.)
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To: BenLurkin

Can it tell me why did I go to my basement or why did I open up the fridge??


9 posted on 08/06/2019 2:59:33 PM PDT by lizma2
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To: BenLurkin
Today I was talking to myself. I was very polite and cordial but I could tell I was lying.

Steven Wright


10 posted on 08/06/2019 3:09:42 PM PDT by Pilsner
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To: BenLurkin

Google already knows what you want to search for before you start typing. Alexa calls 911 if she deems it necessary. Your phone tells the NSA where you are. Your car can rat your driving to the insurance company.

No thanks.


11 posted on 08/06/2019 3:10:56 PM PDT by bgill
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To: bgill

Your car can rat your driving to the insurance company.

No thanks.


Would you do it for a twenty percent reduction in your insurance rates? It’s possible, you know. I use Allstate and get a ten percent rate cut, which would be better if I weren’t in the habit of making what they call not braking enough before coming to a stop.


12 posted on 08/06/2019 3:17:14 PM PDT by sparklite2 (Don't mind me. I'm just a contrarian.)
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To: BenLurkin
"...their brains still send speech signals to the vocal cords and the 100-plus muscles involved in speaking."

So how in the world do vocal cords decided to ignore what the brain is commanding them to do? Why would the brain send commands to a part of the body that should ignore those commands?

"OK, vocal cords, here's a command for you, but I also command you ignore it."
Seems like that would really confuse the vocal cords.

Wouldn't it be easier for the brain to not send the signal in the first place? This doesn't add up. Maybe something was lost in translation by an ignorant "journalist."

13 posted on 08/06/2019 3:19:28 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: DannyTN

Well played!

Oh, man.


14 posted on 08/06/2019 3:21:04 PM PDT by gaijin
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To: BenLurkin

It will be cool if you can record your dreams.


15 posted on 08/06/2019 3:21:41 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
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To: sparklite2

“...if I weren’t in the habit of making what they call not braking enough before coming to a stop.”

Not sure about this. Seems to me, if you came to a stop, you braked enough.


16 posted on 08/06/2019 3:25:31 PM PDT by bk1000 (I stand with Trump)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Wouldn’t it be easier for the brain to not send the signal in the first place?


That’s what goes through my mind
when I notice my tinnitus roaring away.


17 posted on 08/06/2019 3:30:18 PM PDT by sparklite2 (Don't mind me. I'm just a contrarian.)
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To: sparklite2
Me, too.

I was in somewhat blissful ignorance of my tinnitus just now until I read your comment! Thanks a bunch! Now it's an ear-worm.

18 posted on 08/06/2019 3:32:36 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: BenLurkin

Coming soon to an airport and government building, near you!


19 posted on 08/06/2019 3:36:31 PM PDT by NativeSon ( Grease the floor with Crisco when I dance the disco)
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To: umgud

FFS I feel for you, man.


20 posted on 08/06/2019 3:39:19 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not Averse to Going Bronson.)
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