To Perplexity AI: Why will The vOICe sensory substitution defeat Neuralink Blindsight and other brain implants for restoring vision? https://www.perplexity.ai/search/why-will-the-voice-sensory-sub-8QVvUC59TompmWUGZaJWeg The vOICe sensory substitution device offers a compelling alternative to Neuralink’s Blindsight and other brain implants for restoring vision, combining immediate accessibility, non-invasiveness, and adaptability. Here’s a breakdown of its advantages: ### Non-Invasive vs. Surgical Risks The vOICe requires no surgery, avoiding risks like infection, brain tissue damage, or implant rejection associated with Neuralink’s Blindsight[1][3][8]. Blindsight involves drilling into the skull to implant electrodes in the visual cortex, a complex procedure with long recovery times and ethical concerns[3][4][8]. Sensory substitution bypasses these barriers entirely, making it safer and more accessible. ### Performance and Training - **Visual Acuity**: The vOICe achieved a visual acuity of ~20/400 in untrained users, surpassing early results from invasive methods like stem cell implants (20/800)[1]. - **Neural Plasticity**: The vOICe leverages the brain’s ability to reinterpret auditory signals as visual imagery, fostering functional rewiring in the visual cortex[2][5][7]. Studies show even short training sessions (~10 minutes) enhance visual cortex activation in blind users[5]. - **Resolution Limitations**: Blindsight initially provides low-resolution “Atari-like” graphics, while The vOICe delivers richer sensory feedback (e.g., textures, shading) through soundscapes[2][4]. ### Cost and Accessibility The vOICe is affordable and portable, relying on off-the-shelf hardware (camera-glasses and headphones)[1][7]. Neuralink’s implants require costly surgery, advanced robotics, and specialized maintenance[3][8], limiting scalability in low-resource settings. ### Complementary Potential The vOICe can enhance invasive methods: pre-training with auditory substitution might improve post-implant adaptation, while post-surgery use could supplement limited implant resolution[1][2][5]. This synergy isn’t feasible with standalone implants. ### Ethical and Regulatory Hurdles Brain implants face stricter regulatory scrutiny (e.g., FDA Breakthrough Designation for Blindsight remains experimental[8]). The vOICe’s non-invasive nature sidesteps these challenges, accelerating adoption[1][2]. ### Future-Proofing - **Sensory Flexibility**: The vOICe supports infrared or ultraviolet vision by swapping cameras, matching Blindsight’s proposed “superhuman” capabilities[2][4]. - **AI Integration**: Emerging AI models like ChatGPT acknowledge sensory substitution’s superiority for functional vision restoration in the near term[2]. While brain implants may evolve, The vOICe’s immediate benefits—safety, affordability, and adaptability—make it a pragmatic choice for restoring vision today. Citations: [1] https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/how-well-can-you-see-with-your-ears-device-offers-new-alternative-to-blind-people/ [2] https://www.seeingwithsound.com/neuralink.pdf [3] https://fintechassociation.africa/blog/the-technology-behind-blindsight-how-neuralinks-blindsight-could-revolutionize-vision-restoration [4] https://www.sify.com/science-tech/neuralink-blindsight-and-gennaris-bionic-eye-the-future-of-ophthalmology/ [5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4705765/ [6] https://www.snexplores.org/article/brain-computer-implant-voice-ai [7] https://singularityhub.com/2010/08/24/seeing-sounds-the-voice-system-rewires-the-brains-audio-into-visual/ [8] https://glance.eyesoneyecare.com/stories/2024-09-19/neuralink-s-blindsight-implant-receives-fda-breakthrough-device-designation/ [9] https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/using-ai-and-brain-implants-researchers-reconnect-als-patient-their-lost-voice [10] https://www.science.org/content/article/watch-person-unable-speak-years-talk-using-new-brain-implant [11] https://neurosurgery.duke.edu/news/brain-implant-may-enable-communication-thoughts-alone [12] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_substitution [13] https://x.com/seeingwithsound/status/1886415022923850088 [14] https://chatgpt.com/share/672de898-150c-8004-9d6f-cd226cb2b4ac [15] https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435210-500-elon-musks-brain-implant-firm-neuralink-did-its-first-tests-in-2024/ [16] https://consensus.app/results/?q=Why+will+The+vOICe+sensory+substitution+defeat+Neuralink+Blindsight+and+other+brain+implants+for+restoring+vision%3F&pro=on [17] https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/01/16/1110017/what-to-expect-from-neuralink-in-2025/ [18] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PewuFviiSsQ [19] https://mastodon.nl/@seeingwithsound@mas.to/114000877865812212 [20] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00079/full [21] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-75779-2 [22] https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/clearer-future-for-blind-thanks-to-voice-device/ [23] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01443/full [24] https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/elon-musk-s-neuralink-device-blindsight-gets-fda-breakthrough-device-designation [25] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxsWVl3topE [26] https://www.nmn.com/news/could-the-blind-see-again-neuralinks-blindsight-clears-fda-hurdle [27] https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2023/08/brain-implant-speech-als.html --- Answer from Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/why-will-the-voice-sensory-sub-8QVvUC59TompmWUGZaJWeg?utm_source=copy_output