Today, both technologies are becoming a reality. First, for the "dryware" BCI technology, check out the EPOCH - the newest BCI interface headset from the folks over at Emotive.
Imagine a paraplegic being able to control their own wheelchair. What about creating art and music using your mind alone? Or what about controlling your favorite games through mind-power alone? This device could make all that possible. The best part about it is the EPOC only costs $300, and comes with the EmoKey software to link Emotiv technology to your applications for free. Sound interesting and exciting? Check it out over at their website.The Emotiv EPOC is a high resolution, neuro-signal acquisition and processing wireless neuroheadset. It uses a set of sensors to tune into electric signals produced by the brain to detect player thoughts, feelings and expressions and connects wirelessly to most PCs.
Now for the "wetware": two different types of BCI technology are undergoing testing at the University of Pittsburgh for use with spinal cord injury patients. In the first, a BCI will be placed on the patient's monitor cortex surface for up to 29 days. The device will pick up the patient's neural activity and hopefully allow them to learn how to control assistive devices such as a wheelchair or prosthetic hand. The second uses an array of tiny electrodes implanted on the surface of the brain to interpret individual neuron activity and hopefully allow patients to control a more sophisticated prosthetic arm.
The technology of the future is here folks. Just imagine the possibilities for the years to come.
I want one. I already have this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/science/bf1b/
But once you master it...well...there isn't much else you can do besides amaze 4 year olds with it.
This BCI thing has potential. Very cool.
Makes me wish I was way younger, I want to see more and more!
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