Ford announces brain-computer interface patent. Why are car companies so keen on this technology?

Finally, the future and reality have reached a point of convergence. Ford has published a patent with a very sci-fi name: Chassis input intention prediction through brain-computer interface and driver monitoring sensor fusion. The patent description specifically states that the patent is "a method for controlling a vehicle using a brain-computer interface (BMI) device."

Some people have previously asserted that there is no absolute L5 autonomous driving technology. So Ford's technology of driving a car through a brain-computer interface may be the ultimate autonomous driving.

The publication number of this patent is "US20220063631A1", and its name is "Chassis Input Intention Prediction Via Brain Machine Interface And Driver Monitoring Sensor Fusion". According to the patent abstract, according to the present invention, a sensor fusion method using a brain-computer interface (BMI) to obtain a higher resolution chassis input control perspective is described.

Tesla boss Elon Musk has also invested in a company that specializes in the development of brain-computer interfaces. He once live-streamed the latest research results of the "brain-computer interface" technology. Musk showed everyone four piglets that have been implanted with brain-computer chips. Through the brain circuit diagram, we can clearly see the activity trajectory of the pig's brain.

Brain-computer interface technology uses brain waves as input signals, and then processes signals through the brain-computer interface to convert human thinking activities into command signals, and then uses external computers to control the equipment. Similar to the working principle of electronic fuel injection engines, the on-board computer calculates the optimal injection amount through various sensor signals, and then sends execution instructions to the injector nozzle, in which the sensor is the key.

In the movie "The Matrix", there is a scene and setting that is still a classic in film history. Every time the protagonists enter the Internet, they plug an Internet cable into their heads, which is the brain-computer interface.

When people are discussing whether people will be addicted to the metaverse in the future, brain-computer interface is the most immersive metaverse experience. When computers can directly output sensory signals to the brain, there is no need for VR devices to deceive the senses. This sense of reality is incomparable.

The "brain-computer interface" product released by Tesla is a sensor called linkv0.9. This sensor has a total of 1024 channels and is only the size of a coin. After being implanted in the human brain through minimally invasive surgery, it can sense the body's temperature and read human brain waves. In the future, it can store its own memory for backup and then download and transmit it through signals. In addition, it can realize mind control.

Ford's patent is similarly written, meaning that the car can predict what the driver wants to do through the signals obtained by the brain-computer interface, thereby helping the driver to operate in advance. In fact, this is written in a more euphemistic way. Just like the current relationship between autonomous driving and driving assistance.

It is generally believed that there is a conflict between the Metaverse and industries such as automobiles. After all, one is immersed in the virtual world and the other is heavy manufacturing. 

But what is interesting is that the manufacturers that have shown great interest in brain-computer interfaces are all automobile manufacturers. In the future, brain-computer interfaces may become the intersection between reality and virtuality, the automotive industry and the metaverse.

When consciousness is completely immersed in the metaverse, cars may become a tool for running errands in reality and serving the physical body. Therefore, the form of future cars may be even more confusing.