Devices for control and communications in animal and machine
Norbert Weiner, the father of cybernetics defined it as, “The science of control and communications in animal and machine.”
Cybernetic Instrument Labratories designs and manufactures devices that provide control cybernetic function especially as it applies to interfaces between animal and machine.
Lately, circa 2020, the news has been filled with the term “Brain Computer Interface or BCI. Cautious optimism is advised. Perhaps Macbeth said it best.
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
There are many other applications of cybernetic devices that have more immediate applications. Prosthetic devices that offer restoration of muscle movement is an example, cochlear implants another. The simple fact is that building an effective BCI may be the single most difficult problem in all of science and engineering.