Facebook is determined to take over the tech industry and it plans to do that by creating a wristband which is capable of transmitting electrical signals from the brain into computer input. This is the first step in connecting people to their tech devices and according to multiple reports, Facebook has spent nearly $1 billion purchasing a new company called the neural interface startup CTRL-Labs which is going to help Facebook build the innovative device.
Facebook’s One Billion Deal
CNBC is reporting that Facebook’s purchase of CTRL-Labs is costing the social media giant around $1 billion. The massive investment is showing us that Facebook is determined to create the wristband with “mind-reading” abilities. The innovative device that Facebook wants to create is going to be built with the augmented and virtual reality technology that CTRL-Labs has developed during this past couple of years.
Head of AR and VR Speaks Out
We want to mention that the deal was confirmed by none other than Andrew “Boz” Bosworth who is the head of AR and VR at Facebook. The announcement was made over social media where Andrew “Boz” Bosworth had the following message to share with everyone:
“We spend a lot of time trying to get our technology to do what we want rather than enjoying the people around us. We know there are more natural, intuitive ways to interact with devices and technology. And we want to build them. It’s why we’ve agreed to acquire CTRL-labs. They will be joining our Facebook Reality Labs team where we hope to build this kind of technology, at scale, and get it into consumer products faster.”
“The vision for this work is a wristband that lets people control their devices as a natural extension of the movement. Here’s how it’ll work: You have neurons in your spinal cord that send electrical signals to your hand muscles telling them to move in specific ways such as to click a mouse or press a button. The wristband will decode those signals and translate them into a digital signal your device can understand, empowering you with control over your digital life. It captures your intention so you can share a photo with a friend using an imperceptible movement or just by, well, intending to,” added Facebook’s head of AR and VR.
CTRL-Labs
The startup company that Facebook has purchased for around $1 billion was co-founded by Thomas Reardon. If this is the first time that you are reading about Thomas Reardon, then you should know that he created Internet Explorer and that he is a neuroscientist which makes him the perfect man to build the wristband that can read people’s minds. In addition, the second co-founder of CTRL-Labs is Patrick Kaifosh and he is also a neuroscientist.
We also want to note the fact that CTRL-Labs has recently purchased a series of patents developed by North (formerly known as Thalmic Labs). The patents are for the Myo armband which is using gesture and motion control in order to measure electromyography.
Final Words
The potential for what Facebook is setting out to create is massive. Just imagine how many more possibilities having a wristband which can basically read your mind brings. Let’s hope that Facebook and CTRL-Labs are successful in their venture and that they are going to be able to launch the new product during the upcoming future and that we won’t have to wait decades for it.
