How the Brain Works The Facts Visually Explained by DK (z-lib.org)

THE BRAIN OF THE FUTURE

Superhuman Senses

Superhuman

Senses

The latest electronic devices almost rival our

eyes and other sense organs. Future versions

may not only restore lost sensory function

but even expand our range of sensations.

Transmitting sight and sound

Cochlear implants were introduced in the 1970s and

retinal implants first appeared in 2011 to help people

with severe hearing and sight problems, respectively.

Video cameras and microphones “catch” light and

sound and convert them into signals that travel to

a processing unit. This creates a digital “map,”

which is relayed via wireless signals to an implant.

The implant sends the data via nerve impulses

to our relevant sensory region of the brain.

Some people report that they

receive information or awareness

that could not have originated from

known sensory inputs. Such

occurrences can be labeled

extrasensory perception (ESP) but

can usually be explained by sudden

recall of forgotten experience or

coincidence. Future research may

also reveal natural human abilities

to detect magnetic fields and other

phenomena.

ESP

Scans show

more right

hemisphere

activity in

reported ESP

Wire travels

to electrodes

implanted in

nostril

Airborne odor and

flavor molecules

enter nasal cavity

Relay transmitter

sends signals

wirelessly to

antenna on eyeball

Camera

captures

images

Implanted

retinal array of

microelectrodes

Electrosniffers

Some “electronic noses”

feature copied human

proteins that work as

receptors, creating electric

pulses that travel along a

wire when contacted by

a certain substance.

Video camera

One or two small video

cameras worn on glasses form

images from incoming light rays.

The images are converted to

electrical signals and sent along

wires to a portable video

processing unit (VPU).

Video data

The smartphone-sized

VPU, worn on the body but

potentially implantable,

converts the camera’s video

signals into a digital “map”

of spots or pixels. It sends this

along wires to a receiver-

transmitter relay mounted

on the glasses.

Data transmitted to implant

The relay sends wireless signals

to the antenna of a prosthesis on the

side of the eyeball. The antenna passes

the signals along wires to a retinal array

implanted inside the eye.

1 2

3

RETINAL

IMPLANT

Optic nerve carries

impulses from

deeper retinal cells

to visual cortex

AUDITORY CORTEX

SO

M

A

TO

SE

N

SO

RY

C

O

R

TE

X

NA

ET

N

N

A

VIDEO

CAMER

A

RETINAL^ IMPLA

NT

Electrodes stimulate

olfactory bulb

W

IR

E^ C

ONN

ECTS^ TO^ ELECTRODE

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