Facebook has confirmed the reason behind the acquisition of CTRL-Labs. They are planning to build a wristband that can read human minds before we perform an act.
A few days back, on September 23, Facebook announced the acquisition of CTRL-labs, (a startup based in New York) that is making bands capable of reading human minds. Facebook bought the company in around $1 billion, which was founded by Thomas Reardon, the creator of Internet Explorer, and Patrick Kaifosh, a neuroscientist.
Today we’re thrilled to share that Facebook has agreed to acquire CTRL-labs. Our team is excited to join @boztank and his group Facebook Reality Labs to empower people with non-invasive neural interfaces at scale. https://t.co/b5w8ks62Sj
— CTRL-labs (@CTRLlabsCo) September 23, 2019
This deal is Facebook’s second-biggest acquisition so far in history. The first one was the acquisition of VR company Oculus for $2 billion back in 2014.
CTRL-Labs has already designed the wristband that empowers people to control their devices as a natural extension of their movements. In the process, the band measures the neuron actions and sends the same signal on the computer screen that is connected to the band.
The company intends to develop the technology that will guide the computer with the help of brain signals without any physical interaction. It has raised around €60.9M so far.
After the acquisition, Facebook wants it to work with their Reality Labs. Facebook said that the wristband will have the latest technology, which would help it read the electrical signal sent to your brain. It would know your intention before you even take action. It has not made clear how the data would be used because it can be dangerous and used for wrongful means.
Andrew Bosworth, Facebook’s Vice President of VR and AR announced the reason behind acquiring the “neural interface platform” CTRL-labs. The way that Facebook is marketing this wristband is “empowering you with control over your digital life”.
Andrew Bosworth said “You have neurons in your spinal cord that send electrical signals to your hand muscles telling them to move in specific ways such as to click a mouse or press a button. The wristband will decode those signals and translate them into a digital signal your device can understand, empowering you with control over your digital life. “
