https://github.com/Neurogress/GettingData
Just imagine, what if you think of some action and that action is performed by a robot, what if you imagine a painting and think about it and the picture is created by external machines, what if your thoughts are so powerful, you don’t have to type, write, place order, all you have to do is
“Think” .
In my entire time period in the world of Blockchain, I have experienced a lot of projects with lots of potential for future, there were some about Artificial Intelligence, banking, supply chain, clean energy, medical records and so on and so forth. I must accept the world is full of surprises and unique ideas, visions & missions and especially in this world of Blockchain, your sooner get used to it to experience the next level thing. This time I have encountered a project that really takes me to my fancy of future.
Neurogress – Mechatronic Systems Control via Neural Interface
Yeah, Yeah, I agree! Neurosciences, a very complex and sophisticated area in the field of science, but I must appreciate the efforts of the team of the project, who must have strived really hard to keep their Whitepaper simple and easy to understand by Naive such as me. So, I will try my best to keep this article as simple as possible for readers to have a basic idea of the project, while, NeuroGeeks! You invest or not, must give a read.
“Neurogress”, who are they, I have an extract from the whitepaper of what they do and what is their mission & vision.
“Neurogress develops software for neuro controlling electronics and machinery. What is NeuroControl? This is a technologically facilitated process which allows a person to directly manipulate a device using brain waves.
Building on this software platform, Neurogress already integrates its software and mechatronic control into thought controlled prostheses and robots. However, Neurogress ultimately aims to develop an entire ecosystem of neurocontrolled devices based on its software platform. These emerging devices will be informed by aspirations and design requirements drawn from diverse fields of human endeavor.”
Their vision what I assume is:
“ To revolutionize how people interact with technology. Through gradually eliminating reliance on cumbersome physical interfaces, Neurogress aims to transform how people bring their creative and intellectual pursuits to fruition.”
Ok, fine, they have a good vision, they are in a unique field of science, they are providing software for neurocontrol interfaces, “What Problem they are trying to solve” , as stated in their whitepaper, they agree that it is a mature market where lots of neuro interfaces are available but, complex objectvies cannot be achieved, the problem with these devices is the use case, these devices can read basic brain signals, however, when it comes to high level of specificity in reading and responding to brain commands, there is a huge gap.
Complex Objectives cannot’ be achieved
Neurogress, via their solution (software) wants to eradicate this problem. How their software going to do that, let me reproduce some words from the whitepaper:
“This is achieved through incorporating artificial intelligence into the process of interpreting a brain signal and converting it into action. By introducing software which actively generates an evolving algorithm for interpreting an individual’s brain signals, the potential for sending detailed, precise commands to a device is greatly increased.”
With the use of Non-Invasive techniques (recording the brain electrical activity with external devices), they are trying to provide solutions to their target markets. My apologies to the audience, if I miss any specific point related to any process, or system which will be explained hereafter.
Target Areas
Improving quality of life for people with disabilities
“One segment of the disabled population who can directly benefit from Neurogress work are people who have completely or partially lost limbs. The loss of an upper or lower limb as a result of an amputation is a serious problem for a person. It can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life, can critically curtail their physical activity and frequently leads to long-term emotional and psychological challenges.”
I personally agree with the statement made by Neurogress, disabled people should have the joy of life like us. Currently, in case of any disability, Prosthetics are used as an alternative to the body part, however, it requires a crucial surgery, a mental strength to go through the process, and even after the results are not that real life. Further, these prosthetics requires time period of 4 -18 weeks for practice and cost a lot.
As mentioned above, Neurogress, with its non-invasive technique, avoid such critical procedure, the use of software based on A.I (self-evolving algorithm) learn the steps as quick as possible to 2-4 weeks, with more specific objectives achieved through prosthetics and with more accuracy, precision and better time reaction. Further, it must be noted that complete solution as estimated by the Neurogress team will cost 2-3 times cheaper.
Improving techniques for Robot control
I really like this idea, controlling robots with my thoughts. Just imagine, what a fantastic assistant to have, just think of an action, and he will do it for you. I am really surprised to know that Neurogress is working on this project, whereas other giants of the industries are sleeping or working on the same quietly. I guess, they are nowhere near to the solution, which Neurogress may provide to the world. If the team get it done, believe me, this will change the way we do our business. In every aspect of our life, there will be our assistant helping us. However, we should not ignore the risks comes with every opportunity, and we can’t let the opportunity go away just because of our fear. We do things, we fall and we learn to stand again.
Let see, what the Neurogress has to say about this development:
“Using the NeuroControl software developed by Neurogress, it is now possible to control robots by the power of thought. The technology makes the control of robotic systems much easier and more accurate.
The company has begun to integrate its AI-based NeuroControl software in an android robot (a humanoid robot). Ultimately, our vision is that such devices will become valuable assistants to people in almost every area of their lives. Each person will have a personal assistant that will be controlled by the power of thought and the robot's actions will be monitored through virtual reality devices. You will be able to see and hear whatever the robot sees and hears.”
Impact on Internet of Things (IOT)
Neurogress also plans to integrate its software platform with IOT and we will be able to control devices such as drones and other appliances with our thoughts, over a large distance. The process of doing this is very simple
Think of an action to be performed by deviceExternal interface will transmit signals to softwareSoftware will read and interpret the signal and broadcast it over networkDrone will perform that action.
Hmm…….. Let me order some Tacos from Mexico for you.
Believe it or not, while reading the whitepaper, I was just imagining the possibilities of what can be done and how the world will be in the future. Yes, it is the first project of its kind and cannot, fulfill your wishes at once, that is the reason they have a long term plan going upto 2027. It is the whole process of evolution, they may make some mistakes, but it is worthy, if the deliverables are achieved. We should be aware that these type of projects requires very delicate and unique skill set, Neurogress must account all the possible risks associated with the project and have a proper Risk Management Plan ready. Once the project start delivering, talent will flow, neuroscientist, manufactures, academics, researchers, they all will be their for common goal. Visualize a village, where people come up with different problems, and there will be need for solution provides, the need for ideas, solutions, executors, will further shape the economy. Their will be some activity based on some consideration and there will be more data and more risk to it. A whole new economy will be there.
And, Blockchain is the only solution for all these problems. Before going to discuss how Blockchain will help Neurogress and the community, I would highly recommend to at least read the whitepaper once and have a look to the goals and objectives of the Neurogress.
The Blockchain Case:
As discussed above the example of village, let’s make it a global village and the resident of this village will be
· Manufactures of hardware/products;
· Software Developers;
· Algorithm Trainers;
· Control Users
· Final Users indirectly connected through any institutions
These parties will collaborate and work with each other for any specific objectives. Such as, there will be developers working on the software, there work will be patent/copy right through smart contracts, there may be any specific solution needed by any manufacturer from the community, that solution will be secured through smart contracts. Each business activity will be conducted further on the grounds of Neurogress software platform will be executed, secured through Blockchain, where automated delivery versus payment (DVP mechanism) will be ensured.
As described in white paper, “Neurogress Ecosystem which is aimed to deliver mutual benefits of NeuroControl developments to all parties via the Neurogress platform. Neurogress decentralized ecosystem ensures that device manufacturers, control users, software developers and algorithm trainers are supported by the Neurogress AI-based software, and brought into collaboration which allows to constantly improve the quality of brain signal pattern recognition.”
Components of Decentralized Ecosystem includes following:
• Neurogress Hub, a developer community space for collaboration and interaction;
• Training Center, a platform for newcomers to the field of NeuroControl;
• Marketplace that allows people to buy / sell software, hardware and algorithms;
• NeuroControl System, a specific NeuroControl end user product;
• Neurogress AI Software, the Ecosystem’s core for all components combining Neurogress SDK, big data of neural activity, neural network with trained algorithms for various devices and applications.
Token Economy
NRG Tokens
Neurogress, in a long term plans to launch its own crypto currency whether by using Ethereum or IOTA Tangle, however, current offering will be executed based on Ethereum network. These NRG tokens will be used as one mean of payment for products and services of the platform. The Token will represent following store of values:
· To allow purchases of software or devices in the marketplace.
· To pay for work of developers writing code for the needs of the Neurogress-based projects.
· To carry out contracts in the platform between customers and contractors to provide services for writing additional software, design applications and / or device prototypes.
· To pay for the work of users and developers who participate in the improvement and training of algorithms used for the platform and Neurogress software enhancements, as well as to create a database of neuro-algorithms.
· To carry out contracts in the platform between customers and contractors to provide services for writing additional software, design applications and / or device prototypes.
· To pay for the work of users and developers who participate in the improvement and training of algorithms used for the platform and Neurogress software enhancements, as well as to create a database of neuro-algorithms.
NRG Token Breakup
As specified in the whitepaper, total token volume will be around 100,000,000 units out of which 50% will be withheld by Neurogress with 40% locked up for a year. Key facts about the token issue are as follows:
· Fund Raising Target 58,500 ETH
· Private Placement @ 1 ETH - 2095.12 NRG before Jan 25, 2018
· Pre-Sale @ 1 ETH – 1047.67 NRG Feb 02, 2018 till March 03, 2018
· Final Sale to Public @ 1 ETH – 838.08 NRG * May 01, 2018 till Jun 06, 2018
*Price subject to phases
Conclusion:
Personally, I really like the idea of the project and would like to wish Neurogress a luck to successfully reach their milestones. I would highly recommend the relevant stakeholders of this field to have a look at this project. Nevertheless, despite the appealing project, this uniqueness brings in a lot of associated risks which needs to be properly evaluated by the investor, whereas, for the neuro society as well as A.I specialists, there is a lot of roam for development, growth and excitement to decorate our futures in a more efficient, economic and effective way. Apart from my personal opinion about the project, there has been a lot of rumors about the practicality of the product, whether it is really possible.....So, I just come to know about a very positive step Neurogress has taken to clarify the community, they have released a public statement which is as follows:
“Dear Community! Here is the moment Neurocontlol Folks have been waiting for. Due to tons of "NRG is SCAM" attacks as blackmail attempts. Many people have the mistaken belief - Neurogress has nothing to support its claims, just a fiction, they said.
After weeks of brainstorming and discussions, our team decided to show to the World our brainchild - neurocontrol SOURCE CODE which is uploaded to GitHub.
https://github.com/Neurogress/GettingData
The Brain Waves Reading Module is the very first part of the Neurogress Living Creature we are going to share with the public. Put simply, NWR code is the code of the software which can read Brain Signals and lead those signals to the next part of the working system to transform thoughts into simple moves finally. This is Ground Zero of the complex called Neurocontrol.
Also, we want to start the particular format of videos and blogs names: "NeuroContlol Customer Manual" (NCCM)/ "A Row Recruit Manual". This video contains the fundamental steps in neurocontrol. The intention is to make you feel confident when you try it in real life, to make your first experience easygoing and enjoyable.
Join us on this educational journey. Follow us on YouTube and Medium to “evolve” with us.
Sincerely,
Neurogress Team"
Hope you like the article, feel free to comment.
Disclaimer: This is not an investment advice but merely a source of information for those interested to read about Blockchain projects. It is highly recommended to read the white paper and other related documents carefully, consult your financial, legal advisor before investing. 