Researchers have harnessed the
power of thought to guide a remote-control helicopter through an obstacle
course. The demonstration joins a growing number of attempts to translate the
electrical patterns of thoughts into motions in the virtual and real world.
Applications range from assisting those with neurodegenerative disorders to
novel modes of video game play. The approach, require that an electronic system
be ‘trained’ to recognise patterns in an electroencephalograph.
Those thoughts, such as that of
making a fist with the left hand, are then correlated with motions of the
helicopter - in this case to the left. The electroencephalograph remains a
chaotic and largely indecipherable mess of electrical signals, but those related
to motion - or the mere thought of it - have proven to be comparatively strong
and repeatable. Even technology firms see potential in the idea; Samsung is
reportedly working on a "mind-control" tablet device.
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