Change the channel the power of thought
A futuristic prototype that allows to give simple commands to electronic items through the brain
Hatoyama (Japan) - The TV makes you lazy. First has crept into our homes and we raised the effort to get out and go see the bar or from the neighbors. Then it is equipped with remote control and also saved us strolls to change channels. In the future it may also unburden the effort to move his fingers on the remote, because we can change the program only in thought. A statement that seems science fiction, but in the laboratories of the Japanese Hitachi, which manufactures televisions and other consumer electronics, take it very seriously.
BRAIN IMAGING - Here, in fact took place the first demonstration of how to move objects with the electronic brain. Through a device consisting of a headset to wear and a command console, the brain activity of the reporter used as guinea pigs did move a toy train. Doing mental calculations such as addition or subtraction, or singing (always mentally) a tune is made to move the train,
breaking this mental activity, it stops. The "magic" works based on the technology of optical topography, which creates an image of brain activity depending on the flow of blood in various areas. In this case infrared light beams are projected on the surface of the frontal cortex of the brain and through optical fiber is transferred to a computer creating a map. By interpreting these data, a computer that is connected, is able to transmit electrical pulses to an object and do move. TV Telepathy - The most immediate application is clearly in medicine, especially to alleviate the physical disabilities, but the Hitachi Honda, who are conducting their studies, they think mainly a commercial fallout. The Hitachi can equip its TVs with a remote control mental, Honda integrate these findings in his research on intelligent cars (for example, able to stop themselves when the driver fell asleep). The remaining challenges are many, including the weight of the brain and the precision of the signal, which can be disturbed by other activities of "background" of the brain. But researchers are enthusiastic: "It's really funny - he said Hideaki Koizumi, a researcher heading the project - to control a train with your brain. "
