Brain Computer Interface

[John]

Emotiv Systems is developing a new type of technology for the human computer interface: Mind Control.

Literally.

With their software and headset device they are able to detect brain signals and use those brain signals to train the computer to perform a specific action. Then, you make the computer do what you want simply by thinking about it.

Here's an interesting video presentation which includes a demo:

http://fora.tv/2008/12/12/Tan_Le_Bri...Control_Device

In what ways do you think a device like this might be used?

[monitornet]

Originally Posted by John

Emotiv Systems is developing a new type of technology for the human computer interface: Mind Control.

Literally.

With their software and headset device they are able to detect brain signals and use those brain signals to train the computer to perform a specific action. Then, you make the computer do what you want simply by thinking about it.

Here's an interesting video presentation which includes a demo:

http://fora.tv/2008/12/12/Tan_Le_Bri...Control_Device

In what ways do you think a device like this might be used?

Wow, very cool, and scary too. I imagine we would need some serious legislation to make sure this device is only being used for good.

I think this would come in handy for all sorts of tasks, such as navigating the internet, controlling artificial limbs, and doing biofeedback training. Actually biofeedback training has a lot of promise for medical fields such as rehabilitation.

[John]

Using it to control artificial limbs is a great idea! That would be an awesome application of this technology.

[monitornet]

I've been reading a lot more about artificial limb control in the past few years, it seems to be an active pursuit. In fact, I seem to remember watching a video where some scientist from the UK was saying how the brain-controlled computers could already control artificial limbs, but I think they were from a robot nearby.

It really makes you wonder if in the future scientists will be trying to create human-robot cyborgs.