Near Northampton: BCS Coventry Christmas Lecture: Searching to Speak.

 Taken from: http://coventry.bcs.org/branch-programme-2016-2017/searching-to-speak/

Searching to Speak

Title:  Christmas Lecture – Searching to Speak.

Speaker:  Professor Paul Curzon (Queen Mary University of London)

Date: 7th December 2016, 7pm, with refreshments from 6.30pm, and a buffet afterwards

Location:     Engineering and Computing Block, Coventry University

This years Coventry Christmas Lecture, supported by BCS, IET and the IMA.  It takes place on the 7th of December at 7pm, at Coventry University.  Places are free, but booking is essential:  https://coventrychristmas2016.eventbrite.co.uk

Abstract:

One of the worst medical conditions imaginable is locked-in syndrome. It leaves you totally paralyzed except perhaps for the blink of an eye. Your intelligent mind is locked inside a useless body, able to sense everything but unable to communicate. It could happen to anyone, out of the blue, as a result of a stroke. If you wanted to help people with locked-in syndrome, the obvious thing might be to become a doctor or nurse, but how could a computer scientist help?

‘The Diving Bell and the Butterfly’ is an incredibly uplifting book. It’s the autobiography of Jean-Dominique Bauby, written after he woke up in a hospital bed totally paralysed. In the book, he describes life with locked-in syndrome. He did have a way to communicate not only to write the book but also with medics, friends and family. He did it without any technology at all.  How?

IET & BCS Christmas Lecture Neural Interfaces: An Experimental Tour

Not strictly Northamptonshire but might be of interest. Taken from: http://www.theiet.org/local/uk/westmids/warks/xmas-neural.cfm

Lecture

In this presentation a practical look is taken at how the use of implant and electrode technology can be employed to diminish the effects of certain neural illnesses by opening up a new path between the brain and technology. However as a result this also results in biological brains for robots and enables human enhancement. In all cases the end result is to increase the range of abilities of the recipients.

Speaker(s)

Professor Kevin Warwick, Reading University

Date & Time

• 07 December 2011
• 18:30 for 19:00

• Alan Berry Building
  Coventry University
  Coventry CV1 5FB
  

Organiser

• IET Coventry & Warwickshire Network

About this event

In this presentation a practical look is taken at how the use of implant and electrode technology can be employed to diminish the effects of certain neural illnesses by opening up a new path between the brain and technology. However as a result this also results in biological brains for robots and enables human enhancement. In all cases the end result is to increase the range of abilities of the recipients. An indication is given of a number of areas in which such technology has already had a profound effect, a key element being the need for a clear interface linking a biological brain directly with computer technology.
The emphasis is clearly placed on experimental scientific studies that have been and are being undertaken and reported on. The area of focus is notably the need for a biological/technological connection, where a link is made directly with the cerebral cortex and/or nervous system. The presentation will also consider the future: in which robots have biological, or part-biological, brains and in which neural implants link the human nervous system bi-directionally with technology and the internet.


From more information: http://www.theiet.org/local/uk/westmids/warks/xmas-neural.cfm