"When I saw someone use a 3D-printed brain-controlled prosthesis I’d developed—and their face lit up—I knew this technology had to be about more than innovation. It had to change lives."
1. Your journey to becoming a neuroscientist is inspiring. What sparked your interest in the brain and BCIs?
I’ve been fascinated by robotics since I was nine. But instead of jumping straight into a formal degree, I wanted to get my hands dirty first—to really understand what this field was about. That curiosity led me to amazing conferences and meetups, where I met brilliant people working on mind-blowing projects.
What truly hooked me was discovering how programming and robotics could intersect with other disciplines in ways I hadn’t imagined. The real game-changer came when I began experimenting with Brain-Computer Interfaces. The idea that our thoughts could literally control machines felt almost magical.
I remember this one experiment with a BCI—also called a Mind-Machine Interface—where I managed to get simple devices to respond to brain signals. Even my professor was impressed, and that moment gave me the confidence to think bigger.
But what drives me the most is the impact on real people. When I developed a 3D-printed, brain-controlled prosthesis and saw people with disabilities using it, it lit something inside me. That sense of purpose made me realize that these technologies aren’t just cool gadgets—they need to be connected to people’s lives, needs, and well-being.
2. The Cognitively Operated System (COS) is a game-changer. How do you see it transforming healthcare?
The Cognitively Operated System has immense potential in healthcare. It provides real-time brain data to surgeons during complex procedures, especially open-brain surgeries, offering critical insights without repeated invasive methods.
But beyond surgery, COS could be revolutionary for individuals with paralysis or amputations. It’s not just technology—it’s a gateway to independence. Being able to control a prosthetic limb with just a thought can completely transform someone’s life. And because it's non-surgical and affordable, it’s actually accessible—not just a luxury for the few.
There are major implications for neurological disorders as well. I’ve worked at Hillingdon Hospital in the UK, where deep brain stimulation helps conditions like Parkinson’s. COS takes this further by providing more precise control and feedback. I'm especially excited about its potential for epilepsy—imagine detecting a seizure before it occurs and intervening at the perfect moment. That’s not science fiction anymore—that’s the direction we’re heading in.
Mental health is another huge area. By understanding brain activity patterns linked to various conditions, we can begin to create more personalized, effective treatments. The future of healthcare is personalized, and systems like COS—capable of interpreting individual brain activity—are going to be at the heart of that shift.
3. How did early inventions shape you?
My early inventions shaped my path in powerful ways. At just 13, I worked with Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation and filed my first patent. That experience taught me something important: age doesn’t matter when it comes to innovation. What matters is asking the right questions—and having the drive to seek answers.
Failures were just as impactful as successes—maybe even more. Many early experiments didn’t work, but each one built resilience. That grit is something I carry with me every day in my research.
What truly transformed me was witnessing the human impact of my work. The first time someone used a brain-controlled prosthesis I developed—the look on their face—it changed everything. Technology, in that moment, became more than fascinating; it became meaningful.
Those experiences reshaped how I think about tech. A microcontroller isn’t just a collection of circuits—it’s a bridge between human intent and physical action. And I came to see the importance of community early on. Meeting people across the globe—Chinese programmers working on AI, Brazilians building 3D printers from waste—showed me that innovation is collaborative at its core. We need diverse perspectives to solve global challenges.
4. BCIs raise ethical concerns. How can we ensure they’re developed and used responsibly?
This is something I think about constantly. BCIs are incredibly powerful, and with that power comes deep responsibility. It starts with transparency—no hype, no exaggeration—just honest communication about what these technologies can and can’t do.
Privacy is a major concern. We’re talking about brain data—arguably the most personal data there is. We need airtight protections for how that data is collected, stored, and used. I strongly believe individuals should retain full ownership of their neural data.
Informed consent has to be genuine—not just a checkbox. This is especially critical when working with vulnerable populations who might benefit the most from BCIs, like those with neurological conditions. They need to understand exactly what's being done with their brain data.
Equity is another key issue. That’s why I’ve worked so hard to make my prostheses non-surgical and affordable. If BCIs only benefit the wealthy, we’ve failed. These tools should reduce inequality—not deepen it.
Of course, we need regulations—but not in isolation. Ethicists, policymakers, doctors, patients, and the general public all need to be part of the conversation.
Education is also crucial. That’s one reason I write and speak publicly. The more people understand BCIs, the better equipped we’ll be to make thoughtful, collective decisions about how to use them.
5. What’s a common misconception about neuroscience or BCIs that you’d like to clear up?
The biggest misconception is that BCIs can “read your mind” like in sci-fi movies. That’s simply not true. Current BCIs don’t interpret complex thoughts or access memories. They detect patterns linked to specific intentions—like the desire to move your arm.
Another myth is that BCIs require brain surgery. While some research involves implanted electrodes, many applications—like my Cognitively Operated System—use non-invasive methods. We can collect powerful brain data using sensors placed on the scalp. No surgery required.
There’s also a persistent idea that BCIs are about enhancing “super humans.” While enhancement exists as a use case, the real impact is in medicine—helping people with paralysis communicate, controlling prosthetics, treating epilepsy, and supporting stroke recovery. That’s where the real, life-changing breakthroughs are happening right now.
And no—this isn’t decades away. Functional BCIs are already helping people today. The brain-controlled prosthetics I’ve worked on are real, tested, and making a difference.
Lastly, people often think we’ve already figured the brain out. We haven’t—not even close. It remains one of the most complex and mysterious structures we study. We’re still at the beginning of this journey—and that’s exactly what makes it so exciting.
6. You’ve simplified neuroscience through your books. Why is making science accessible so important to you?
It’s deeply personal. I taught myself complex subjects when I was younger because, frankly, “there was no one to tell me that I couldn’t.” But I know many brilliant minds never pursue science because it feels too exclusive or intimidating. That’s a heartbreaking loss of potential.
Science shouldn't be locked behind jargon or paywalls. Knowledge—especially knowledge that can improve lives—should be available to anyone curious enough to seek it.
When I wrote A Simple Approach to Neuroscience, my goal was to create something that could reach people from any background. Making science understandable also helps new technologies reach their full potential. For example, with the Cognitively Operated System, it's crucial that doctors, patients, and caregivers understand the basics—so they can make informed choices, and maybe even inspire ideas specialists like me might miss.
Scientific literacy also empowers people to join vital societal discussions. As I often say, “Contribution to society through science can only be fully achieved when its stakeholders understand, apply, and embrace these discoveries.”
And honestly? There’s a unique beauty in explaining something complex in a simple way. It strengthens my own understanding and reminds me that even the most advanced tech connects back to basic, universal principles.
7. You’ve faced both breakthroughs and challenges. What’s been your biggest lesson so far?
The biggest lesson? Innovation happens at the intersections. I used to see fields like robotics, neuroscience, and programming as separate. Now, I understand that the real breakthroughs emerge when you connect them. As I wrote in one of my papers, “Robotics cannot stand alone—it must be woven with different disciplines, with people, and eventually with life.”
Resilience has been vital. Many of my experiments failed long before any success. But each failure taught me something that ultimately contributed to breakthroughs like the Cognitively Operated System.
Affordability and accessibility have become guiding values. There’s no point in creating life-changing technology if it’s out of reach. By using low-cost tools—like EEG readers worn like headphones—I’ve been able to help more people, not just those who can afford expensive devices.
The moment I saw people with disabilities using my prosthetic designs was transformative. That human connection gave meaning to every technical milestone.
And finally—collaboration. Every major leap in my career has come from working with others. From those early global conferences to my current work with medical institutions, I’ve learned that innovation thrives when we bring diverse minds together.
8. If you could create a BCI for fun or personal use, what would it do?
I'd love to build what I call a “Creativity Amplifier.” You know those moments when you get a brilliant idea, but it disappears before you can capture it? This BCI would record those fleeting bursts of inspiration as text, sketches, or even music—depending on what you're thinking.
The intersection of art and science has always fascinated me. You can see that in my work with projects like FofXfestival and UtopianDystopia. I’d be thrilled to create a BCI that translates abstract thought into something tangible—preserving those sparks of creativity before they vanish.
Bio:
Abhijeet Satni is a pioneering neuroscientist, Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) innovator, and author committed to making cutting-edge technology accessible and life-changing. With a passion ignited in childhood by robotics and a mission fueled by real-world impact, he has developed breakthrough solutions like the Cognitively Operated System (COS) and 3D-printed brain-controlled prostheses. His work focuses on bridging neuroscience, engineering, and ethics—empowering individuals with disabilities and advancing personalized healthcare. Through his books and public outreach, Abhijeet champions scientific literacy, ethical tech development, and the belief that innovation is most powerful when rooted in empathy.
Interviewd by: Shrishti Chandra
Edited by: Shantanu Singh
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