Image Source: https://www.flickr.com
Three prominent universities are teaming up with the U.S. government to develop technology aimed at pushing soldiers’ brainpower well beyond normal human limits.
DARPA, the U.S. military’s advanced technology research agency, has been studying ways to use electrical stimulation on the nerves involved in body movement to boost brain performance. Working with top universities, the agency is applying this research to improve soldiers’ combat-related capabilities.
According to DARPA, the technology could let a soldier become fluent in a new language in just a few months instead of the years it normally takes, while also significantly improving other military skills.
DARPA is developing the technology by stimulating the nerves connected to the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body with electrical signals to enhance the brain’s capabilities. The agency intends to use this technology in soldier training — for example, letting a soldier become fluent in a new language within months rather than years. It could also prove useful for teaching combat skills more broadly.
DARPA is developing the technology in partnership with several universities. Johns Hopkins University is working on technology to improve auditory perception and language learning. The University of Florida is developing technology to enhance decision-making, learning, and movement. The University of Arizona is responsible for work related to reconnaissance, weapons handling, and combat strategy. While the technology DARPA is building could bring real benefits to people, there are also legitimate concerns about it being misused for harmful purposes.