Neurotech: The Future of Brain Monitoring
The rapidly progressing field of neurotechnology is set to revolutionize the way we function, communicate, and make decisions. As the global neurotech market experiences a compound annual growth rate of 12% and is projected to attain a value of $21 billion by 2026, this cutting-edge innovation is altering our perception of human cognition and its potential implementation in work environments. Brain sensors can assist in identifying whether you lean towards conservative or liberal ideologies; evaluate the extent of your insomnia; and differentiate between true love and simple attraction.
Nita A. Farahany, a law and philosophy professor at Duke University, explains that it is possible to monitor changes in neural function over time, such as the decline in specific brain activity linked to disorders like Alzheimer’s. For football players, the development of intelligent helmets will enable instant diagnosis of concussions as they happen. Meanwhile, individuals with epilepsy may receive early alerts of an impending seizure, allowing them to brace themselves accordingly.
Today, numerous companies across various sectors, including construction, trucking, and aviation, are utilizing neurotech devices to ensure their workers remain alert. In high-trust organizations, such as Google and Salesforce, employees enjoy increased productivity, heightened energy, better collaboration, and stronger loyalty. On the other hand, companies with low trust levels, like Wells Fargo and Uber in the past, have witnessed disempowerment and disengagement among their employees. Recent estimates indicate that disengagement can lead to significant consequences, with American companies experiencing annual losses estimated between $450 billion to $550 billion.
Much like other technological breakthroughs, neurotechnology brings about fascinating possibilities, while also sparking significant privacy concerns for employees. Yet, in specific scenarios — imagine ensuring a 40-ton truck driver stays wide awake and alert — brain monitoring at work transforms into an incredibly captivating and valuable idea. In such cases, it’s challenging to assert that a driver’s right to mental privacy surpasses the vibrant vitality of public safety.
Below are 3 use cases for neurotechnology:
Monitoring Exhaustion
SmartCap is an innovative wearable technology that monitors fatigue levels in real-time, helping companies worldwide maintain employee alertness and safety. SmartCap has already been adopted by more than 5,000 organizations across a range of industries, including mining, construction, trucking, and aviation, to guarantee their workers remain alert while on the job. This technology, along with similar electroencephalogram (EEG) systems, can be implemented in various employment environments where fatigue threatens safety, including factory floors, air traffic control towers, operating rooms, and laboratories.
The repercussions of fatigue stretch beyond safety concerns — it dampens motivation, weakens concentration, and hinders coordination. This results in a decrease in reaction time, impaired judgment, and reduced ability to perform even simple tasks, resulting in an enormous annual loss of productivity estimated at around $136 billion.
Fatigue’s impact on society can be catastrophic, as illustrated by numerous incidents. In Chicago, a drowsy train operator caused a derailment at O’Hare International Airport, injuring 32 passengers. In New York, a sleep-deprived engineer was responsible for a fatal derailment that claimed four lives, injured 70, and led to millions of dollars in damages. In Citra, Florida, a train collision occurred due to an engineer falling asleep, resulting in extensive spills and environmental harm. Although aviation accidents occur less frequently, pilot fatigue has been linked to at least 16 major plane crashes in recent decades.
Optimizing Time, Attention and Performance:
Many individuals struggle to maintain focus for extended periods, but neurotechnology may offer a solution. A few years ago, at the Fortune Global Tech Forum, Oullier introduced Emotiv’s MN8 — an innovative attention management device for enterprises. Resembling standard earbuds, MN8 not only functions as earphones but also employs two electrodes — one in each ear — to monitor employees’ stress and attention levels in real-time. By analyzing alpha-brain-wave activity, the system determines the worker’s attentiveness. If the proprietary algorithm detects waning focus, it sends an alert to the employee’s laptop, prompting them to take a break and recharge.
Enhancing Productivity and Reducing Burnout:
With the ongoing advancements in neurotechnology, AI, and robotics, brain-activity neural-interface devices are expected to be utilized to create more flexible work environments. For example, Penn State researchers are investigating the use of EEG headsets for employees that transmit data to robots, allowing them to adapt their work pace based on the employees’ mental states. During a recent study, participants wore EEG headsets to monitor their cognitive workload and detect signs of stress. The robots responded by adjusting their speed or maintaining a constant pace, providing workers with an optimal balance to enhance productivity without causing undue stress.
Moreover, other researchers have discovered that EEG sensors can aid in monitoring and addressing the heightened cognitive load experienced by assembly workers. As automation becomes the standard in industrial settings and workers face increasingly complex assembly processes, these sensors can be instrumental in ensuring worker well-being. A recent study carried out in Belgium involved participants performing assembly tasks in a simulated factory setting while exposed to different levels of cognitive load (low, high, and overload). Researchers were able to distinguish between high cognitive load and cognitive overload by tracking EEG activity and eye movements. These conditions may result in worker errors, safety hazards, and adverse health effects. These discoveries could pave the way for the development of smart manufacturing systems that automatically adjust production levels to accommodate higher cognitive loads while preventing overload. This groundbreaking approach marks the dawn of a new era in “cognitive ergonomics.”
Neurotechnology has the potential to transform our lives, from diagnosing brain disorders to enhancing workplace productivity and safety. With the global neurotech market projected to reach $21 billion by 2026, innovations like SmartCap, MN8, and EEG headsets are already being employed across multiple industries to monitor fatigue, optimize attention and performance, and reduce burnout. However, as with any technological breakthrough, privacy concerns must be carefully weighed against the benefits. The future of neurotechnology presents an array of possibilities. However, as the field advances, it will be crucial to strike the right balance between harnessing its potential and addressing ethical considerations to maximize its positive impact.
This article was written for QMIND — Canada’s largest undergraduate community in disruptive technology and AI.
If you have any questions, comments, ideas, or would like to reach out, please feel free to message me on LinkedIn.
