Prime Movers Lab Webinar Recap: The Future of Brain Machine Interfaces
Highlights from a wide-ranging and engaging conversation on this emerging domain
Last week, Prime Movers Lab hosted a panel with several fascinating founders on the Future of Brain Computer Interfaces. The panelists were Paradromics CEO Matt Angle, NIA Therapeutics CEO Dan Rizutto, Sonera Magnetics CEO Nishita Deka, and Cognixion CEO Andreas Forsland. In case you missed it, or want to share it with a colleague, the replay of the webinar can be found here.
While the entire conversation was compelling, and we easily could have gone another hour into the discussion, here are some of the highlights from our chat.
On “Why Now?”
As the general field of brain computer interfaces (BCI) is not new, our panelists had a few insights into why BCI is “hot” all of a sudden. Everyone agreed that the field has hit an inflection point. Substantial investments from the federal government have created new sources of data and new sources of ongoing support. There was also consensus around the role of electronics engineering impacting neuroscience, with devices being created in smaller footprints — while at the same time — data throughputs are also increasing. They shared that while individual components have often been demonstrated in the laboratory setting — now systems engineering is playing a serious role in integrating all of the key elements. This has led to the marketplace (and VCs) starting to view these systems as viable commercial products—and the interest grows from there! As a society, we are thinking about sensors differently now — first on the device, next “on” us, and perhaps next “in” us? It’s an exciting vision.
On Invasive vs. Non-invasive
I’ve been viewing the invasive (implanted in the brain) vs non-invasive (wearable, sitting on the head) BCI debate from a slightly different angle. I see the BCI space as a continuum — it's not an “either/or,” it's a “yes, and.” Our panelists agreed that the driving energy behind which solution to go with was really a matter of use case and applications. If you can meet the needs of your particular application with a non-invasive device — go for it! However, invasive technology is definitely high data rate and more accurate for direct readout of neuronal signals. Non-invasive technologies are in a go-to-market position right now, although applications vary. Invasive technologies are making their way to the market now, first through breakthrough device designation by the FDA and then further clinical development.
For those interested in a deeper dive, my colleagues at the BrainMind ecosystem graciously shared this incredible infographic to help our readers navigate this complex landscape. It’s gorgeous and several of our panelists contributed. Check it out!
On “What’s Next”
The interplay between consumer and clinical was on the mind of the panelists. Everyone saw the clinical approval of the medical versions of these devices as imminent — so what’s next? The Metaverse of course! Seriously though, the panelists discussed the emerging and not yet even discovered use cases that might lie ahead of us. There was an agreement that our thinking has been somewhat constrained and ready to be broken open by these technologies expanding in their use and utility. Communication and control will certainly never be the same again, and finding a mode to connect humanity in new ways is an exciting vision for the future. And still, even more clinical applications are on the horizon — expanding into mental health and potentially being paired with other treatments and solutions for a revolution in how we are able to modulate the brain and its states (positive and negative).
Again, just a taste of what we covered in the discussion! Please watch and share the replay — and please engage with us on studying and understanding these incredible neurotechnologies. The future of communication is at hand, and in our brains.
Prime Movers Lab invests in breakthrough scientific startups founded by Prime Movers, the inventors who transform billions of lives. We invest in companies reinventing energy, transportation, infrastructure, manufacturing, human augmentation, and agriculture.
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