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Facebook is working on a ‘brain-computer interface’ to read and transmit your thoughts

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A scientist adjusts a geodesic sensor net on a subject as part of research to capture images of thought processes taking place inside the brain. Phoo: Reuters

Mark Zuckerberg's dream of gadgets that let humans read each other’s thoughts and communicate with brain waves may be moving closer to reality.

A secretive new research division that Facebook created last year is developing “brain-computer interface” technology that sounds a lot like the telepathy of science fiction movies.

Several recent job postings listed by Facebook’s Building 8 group describe a project involving ”neuroimaging” and ”electrophysiological data” to create a ”communications platform of the future”.

An open position for a brain-computer interface engineer seeks a PhD in neuroscience who can help with a related project from “inception to product” over a two-year period. Another listing seeks an engineer who can “develop audio signal processing algorithms” for a “communication and computing platform of the future”.

Facebook declined to elaborate on the job listings, but a 2015 comment from CEO Zuckerberg suggests that the company could indeed be working on some kind of brain-controlled, telepathic communication device.
Facebook’s Building 8 lab for advanced research is shrouded in secrecy . Photo: AP
Facebook’s Building 8 lab for advanced research is shrouded in secrecy . Photo: AP

“One day, I believe we’ll be able to send full rich thoughts to each other directly using technology,” Zuckerberg said during a June 2015 Q&A. “You’ll just be able to think of something and your friends will immediately be able to experience it too if you’d like.”

Other listings seek engineers who can develop “novel non-invasive neuroimaging technologies” and create “realistic and immersive haptics experiences”.

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