脑信号实时转语音，不开口也能说话了？

Core Insights - The article discusses a groundbreaking brain-computer interface (BCI) technology that enables real-time conversion of brain signals into speech, offering new hope for individuals with speech impairments due to neurological conditions [1][14]. Group 1: Technology Overview - BCI technology is seen as a promising method for restoring language abilities by decoding brain activity and bypassing damaged parts of the nervous system [2]. - Most current BCI systems focus on converting brain signals into text displayed on screens, which, while accurate, still face challenges such as conversation delays and inability to replicate vocal nuances [3]. Group 2: Research Findings - A new study published in Nature showcases a novel BCI system that was implanted in a patient with severe speech impairment due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), utilizing four arrays of microelectrodes to record neural activity [4][6]. - The system decodes the patient's intended sounds rather than specific words or phonemes, aiming to directly reproduce speech [8]. - The research allows for a broader range of vocal expressions, including non-standard words and pitch variations, enabling the patient to express emotions and nuances in speech [9]. Group 3: Performance Metrics - The system achieves a speech output delay of 1/40 seconds, closely matching the natural delay experienced when humans hear their own voice [10]. - In tests, listeners could correctly identify nearly 60% of the words produced by the system, a significant improvement from a mere 4% recognition rate when the patient spoke without the BCI [10]. Group 4: Future Implications - The study indicates a paradigm shift in communication tools for individuals unable to speak, paving the way for practical language assistance technologies [14]. - The research team emphasizes that the "neural voice prosthesis" is still in its early stages, with future efforts needed to replicate results in a broader patient population, including those with speech loss from strokes [15].