Cortex - Neurotechnology

This radar highlights innovative technologies designed to help people understand and navigate the future of neurotechnology, cognitive interfaces, brain-computer systems, and human-machine augmentation. We focus on neural interfaces, decoding engines, restorative prosthetics, and enhancement systems that are creating new pathways between the human brain and external devices. By mapping the convergence of neuroscience, engineering, and AI, we aim to provide insights into technologies that will restore lost function, enhance human capabilities, and create new forms of human-computer interaction.

This resource is free and open-access, ensuring it reaches neuroscientists, engineers, clinicians, researchers, ethicists, and the public. In this version of the Envisioning Cortex radar, we go beyond emerging technologies by including applications, enhancement systems, and ethical considerations around cognitive privacy, agency, and augmentation governance. This broadened focus demonstrates that the future of neurotechnology depends on more than just technical capability; patient safety, personal autonomy, and responsible governance play equally important roles in ensuring these powerful technologies serve human flourishing.

Our Work

• Developed a comprehensive research database documenting neurotechnology systems across hardware, software, applications, and ethics.

• Features technologies encompassing endovascular neural interfaces, high-density cortical arrays, flexible surface arrays, optical interfaces, and decoding engines.

• Four-dimensional assessment system tracking Technology Readiness Level, Impact, and Investment for each entry.

• Application-focused analysis covering restorative prosthetics, cognitive enhancement, immersive systems, and brain-computer interfaces.

• Ethical framework integration examining cognitive privacy, agency safeguards, augmentation governance, and the societal implications of neural technologies.

• Ongoing research with periodic updates as new neural interfaces emerge and clinical applications expand.

Impact

• Provides neuroscientists and engineers with structured insights into emerging neurotechnology systems.

• Free and open-access, enabling clinicians, researchers, patients, and citizens to explore neural technologies with critical awareness.

• Patient-centered focus presenting both technological capabilities and considerations around safety, efficacy, and personal autonomy.

• Supports informed decision-making for clinical applications, research directions, and policy development around neural interfaces.

• Comprehensive framework consolidating diverse domains (neural interfaces, decoding systems, prosthetics, enhancement) into a unified reference system.

• Material serves as both a reference tool and ethical framework for understanding how neurotechnologies evolve and the governance needed to ensure they restore and enhance human capabilities responsibly.