Ever wondered what it would be like if man could absorb knowledge and complex skills like Neo from The Matrix series or Chitti the robot from Rajinikanth’s sci-fi flick Enthiran?
For example: uploading terabytes of data into the brain or scanning the contents of a book with an inbuilt sensor in the eye or even mastering Kung fu seconds after the brain absorbs the techniques as Neo did in The Matrix.
Researchers at the HRL laboratories based in California claims to have ‘discovered’ a method or process to amplify learning abilities through ‘low current electrical brain stimulation’. Well, the amount of data uploaded may not be as large as shown in sci-fi films! But it’s a start!
A team of scientists led by Dr Matthew Philips from HRL’s Information & System Sciences Laboratory claimed that it used transcranial Direct Current Stimulations (tDCS) on two pilot rookies who later displayed signs of improved flying cognition.
“We measured the brain activity patterns of six commercial and military pilots, and then transmitted these patterns into novice subjects as they learned to pilot an airplane in a realistic flight simulator,” Dr Matthew was quoted in hrl.com.
Image Courtesy: hrl.com/Illustration by John Enete
The study that was published in February 2016 issue of the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience noted that subjects who received electrode stimulation through electrode embedded head caps showed improved piloting abilities.
Researchers claim that the tDCS can accelerate practical learning abilities such as driving, exam preparation and even learning new languages. It is also reported that the method could help patients recover quickly from ailments such as brain stroke.
HRL’s study is the first to showcase tDCS’ ability to accelerate practical learning.
“As we discover more about optimizing, personalizing, and adapting brain stimulation protocols, we’ll likely see these technologies become routine in training and classroom environments. It’s possible that brain stimulation could be implemented for classes like drivers’ training, SAT prep, and language learning,” Dr Matthew added.
