Thought-controlled computer
From: "Catherine Turner" <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Fri, 4 May 2001 12:39:05 +0100

The RegisterFrom The Register:
              2 May 2001
              Updated: 13:03 GMT












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            Boffins create thought-controlled computer
            By: Kieren McCarthy
            Posted: 30/04/2001 at 11:56 GMT


            Boffins at the EC's Joint Research Centre have created a
computer that can "read" peoples' minds and enable disabled people to write
message using nothing but thoughts.

            The system has been tried out on a 40-year-old severely
disabled
man in London, the Sunday Times reports and he was ecstatic. Cathal
O'Philbin, who has spinal muscular atrophy, said: "This is something really
special. It would make a big difference to me."

            The computer works by picking up the electromagnetic signals
created in the brain when people think of different things. Electrodes
attached to a plastic cap which is put on the user's head pick up the
signals. Then by tying in thought patterns with different, simple
instructions the computer can be controlled by thought alone.

            In the case of Mr O'Philbin, he was told to think hard about a
rotating cube, about moving his left arm (which he can't do physically) and
then to relax mentally (abstract, physical, calm). This provided three
widely varying electromagnetic patterns which were then tied-in with moving
a cursor across the computer screen. By moving the cursor, he was able to
select letters and managed to spell out "Arsenal Football Club".

            Mr O'Philbin said it was hard getting the two to work but was
asked to be given one as soon as possible. The Spanish scientist who
co-ordinated the project, Jose del Millan said: "The key to our system is
its natural and quick operation. Without any assistance a user can teach
the
machine to recognise his thoughts within one or two hours."

            The Adaptive Brain Interface cost £1 million to develop and,
you'll be glad to hear, uses special software sitting on top of Windows
2000. The cap costs £150.

            The system is obviously in its early stages but its
effectiveness has been proved and the project team hopes to gradually
improve it - to the extent where it may even prove a valuable application
for able-bodied people.

            Del Millan was keen to dispel sci-fi evil mind-reading
applications of it however. "We are only developing applications where the
user consciously decides to issue a command to the computer," he said. "We
are not exploring the brain at the unconscious level." But that's what they
want you to believe.

            The Thought Police are known to be taking an interest in the
project. ®

            Related Link
            Sunday Times article


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Colin R. Howard
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"Microsoft - a triumph of marketing over reality"


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