Subvocal speech recognition- should we be concerned?

Hello everyone I did a search to see if this was found any where here on ATS but did not find this topic brought up. Please either delete if this topic has been covered or redirect if this isn't the necessary section to post this. I posted here because it is information from NASA, since they're an agency of the US government I believed this was likely the appropriate area.

Tonight I came across a youtube video discussing research on subvocal speech recognition at Nasa's AMES Research Center in California by Chuck Jorgenson (Chief Scientist for Neuroengineering). Very impressive, but you will be able to see many reasons to be concerned after watching both these videos. This appears to me to be another step in a possible uncomfortable direction for those of us who would like to say have some privacy. How do others feel in regards to ones privacy and possible safety taking this device into consideration? This sensor in the wrong hands could be very bad news... Those in authority could manipulate this however they would so please, is this not possible? Though this is not telepathy, it sure comes close, oh boy...

What was especially alarming was when Mr. Jorgenson said:

"In the not very distant future, we see them being invented in clothing as a matrix of sensors."

Video 1:



Video 2:

I don't really forsee this technology being used for overtly nefarious reasons. Outside someone whom is just generally displeased with giving military and LE more tools to do thier jobs more effectively, I can't really see a cause for alarm. All of the "bad examples" shown for misuse, from courthouses to school rooms to even casinos, can be handled, by either A)restricting the technology to military, LE, and medical purposes , or B) the invention (which is inevitable) of a signal dampening or blocking device placed in those settings. It definatley has positive outlooks for those whom are paralyzed or other medical conditions that make it impossible to communicate through standard modes of speech. I do know however the military was looking at, not currently sure of the status of it though, a sort of preliminary tech that was esentially the same thing however picked up the actual mouthing of words, without making a sound, to communicate in covert situations.

Originally posted by djvexd
I do know however the military was looking at, not currently sure of the status of it though, a sort of preliminary tech that was esentially the same thing however picked up the actual mouthing of words, without making a sound, to communicate in covert situations.

If you watch both videos you will see that this is exactly what this device does, you don't have to open your mouth that's the whole point. There was a patent pending on it back in 2004...

reply to post by dawnslight


I did watch both.The device I am talking about, actually measured the physical movement of the mouth. This device is measuring is the electrical impulses as sent through nerves.

I can see this being a boon to both Military Applications as well as for Medical Applications. Being able to communicate with your team without making a sound, or being able to have a patient communicate with you who would otherwise be unable to talk is monumental.

However, I don't quite see how this could be a Pandora's Box that can be misused to invade Privacy.

But then again, I routinely don't talk to myself and if I were to talk to myself I certainly wouldn't move my lips when talking to myself!

Unless we start persecuting people for being able to think and read without moving their lips like we did in the 12th century, then I don't think anyone needs to worry about this kind of tech.

I still have a hesitancy about this. We will have to see what information will come out as time goes on in regards to this device. I do see the positive applications, which in that case is wonderful. But in the meantime, I'd be curious to see what their upgraded versions of this will turn into. Time will tell...

reply to post by dawnslight


I can think of one good use; all those rude people that text in the theater, or even make calls, could stop!

In all seriousness, though, the only way this could be used for surveillance is if they come up with a way for people to be heard without having the thing on their neck. That would seem to be telling for cheaters as well. Unless and until it gets to that stage, seems kinda cool to me.