brainBrainPort. What, essentially, is BrainPort? Well, we could say that it is just a tool to assist people with Bilateral Vestibular Loss (BVL). BVL is the inability to maintain static posture (balance) through a variety of conditions like sitting, standing or walking on uneven terrain. By shocking your tongue repeatedly, BrainPort Technologies at Wicab Inc. hopes to do that and much more (watch the Video Here). If I told you that the BrainPort can help the blind see images by sending small electrical signals to the surface of your tongue, would you believe me? Well you have no choice but to know my young padawan learner. Wicab Inc has found a way to send images to the brain through the tongue.

In order for you to see, your brain processes electrical impulses transmitted by the optical nerves, to put it in lamens terms. Researches theorized that in order for your brain to process these images, it does not need to present through the optical nervous system. An alternate medium can be used. So you swap the cameras for eyes, and the electrode pad for the sensory receiver.

The tongue. Which other sensory receptor could be more qualified to be an alternative. Wicab states on their site “The tongue is a uniquely qualified target for electrical impulses because of 1) the density and sensitivity of nerve fibers at this site and 2) the suitability of the tongue to receive and maintain electrical contacts in terms of chemical environment, which minimizes the electrical energy requirement and point of contact skin irritation.” meaning not only is it the most perceptive for electrical impulses, but you also won’t have to worry about burn blisters on your tongue. Woot.

The BrainPort accomplishes this feat by catching images through 3 small cameras mounted on the users head. Don’t worry it’s not a permanent mount. The images are then sent to a small sensory pad, electrode array if you will, in which the brain process the electrical impulses. Now, you’re not getting 20/20 images here but what users are getting is a hell of a start.

Users have been able to navigate through places they have never been through before. They have been able to distinguish objects without physically touching them. Just look at this CBS report video and please visit: http://www.wicab.us for more information.