Mind Reader: Facebook VR Headset closer to 'Getting' right into your Head and trying to read your Thoughts

Facebook may not be too far from 'getting' into your head and trying to read your thoughts. If the future of computing seems exciting to you, Facebook is already working on this mind-reading headset that would let you type words with the power of your brain! Here's everything you need to know:

Is Facebook working on 'Brain' keyboard?

It is not the first time we have heard about a mind keyboard-like device, and now Facebook is talking about its progress.

A couple of years ago, in 2017, Facebook said that it was working on a mind-reading device that would allow users to type by merely thinking words. Facebook seems to have come a long way since then. The company has announced its progress so far, suggesting such a device may not be too far from becoming a reality.

"Imagine a world where all the knowledge, fun, and utility of today’s smartphones were instantly accessible and completely hands-free. Where you could spend quality time with the people who matter most in your life, whenever you want, no matter where in the world you happen to be," Facebook said in its blog post.

"And where you could connect with others in a meaningful way, regardless of external distractions, geographic constraints, and even physical disabilities and limitations," Facebook added.

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Facebook has been working with a team of researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Researchers help patients with neurological damage speak "by detecting intended speech from brain activity in realtime"

The study led by neuroscientist Edward Chang, UCSF researchers, used ECoG arrays placed directly on the brains of volunteers. Several questions were asked to subjects and responses were heard by the system.

Facebook's future roadmap

Although the research project is still ongoing, Facebook is funding the project. From here, Facebook wants to come up with a wearable headset device to let users control music or interact in VR using their thoughts.

Privacy risk?

Obviously, some people may be concerned about the privacy implications of such a device. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced $5 billion fine against Facebook stemming from its investigation into the Cambridge Analytica data privacy scandal.

Nowadays, research and studies conducted on the brain-computer interface are on the rise. Earlier, SpaceX founder Elon Musk formed his brain-interface company and it wants to implant electrodes into the brains of paralysed volunteers within two years.