Scientists have found a way to convert thoughts into speech

From CNET.com (Apr. 29):

Sure, speaking is great, and an effective method of communication, but what if that's not a possibility? What if you suffer from some sort of paralysis or neurological impairment and you literally can't speak?

Researchers at the University of California think they've made a crucial first step at solving the problem. Using a "state-of-the-art brain-machine interface", neuroscientists art UC San Francisco say they have successfully been able to convert brain waves into literal speech.

By placing electrodes on the heads of study participants, the researchers took information from measured brain activity, and fed that data into a "virtual vocal tract": an anatomically correct computer simulation designed to accurately mimic movements from the lips, jaw, tongue and larynx. The end result: something that absolutely resembles human speech.

"For the first time, this study demonstrates that we can generate entire spoken sentences based on an individual's brain activity," said Edward Chang, a professor of neurological surgery and the lead author on this study. "This is an exhilarating proof of principle that with technology that is already within reach, we should be able to build a device that is clinically viable in patients with speech loss."  [read more]

Nice, especially for those who can’t talk. It’s a good start but the technology needs to be refined some more before it goes into production. Right now I believe it is just a beta-version.