It is hoped that technology developed under the Neural Engineering System Design program will have a wide range of applications in research and healthcare.

While modern computing continues to develop at a staggering pace, we're yet to develop a system that's truly capable of interfacing with the complexities of the human brain. DARPA's new program aims to improve things, dramatically enhancing the capabilities of neurotechnology.

"Today's best brain-computer interface systems are like two supercomputers trying to talk to each other using an old 300-baud modem," said Phillip Alvelda, manager of the NESD program. "Imagine what will become possible when we upgrade our tools to really open the channel between the human brain and modern electronics."