Intel: Sensors Implanted in Human Brains to Control Computers

Researchers at Intel are looking into ways to control computers using nothing more than brain waves. The Pittsburgh-based Intel team hopes to decode human brain activity, with the ultimate goal being implantable chips which would enable users to control devices by thinking.

Computerworld explains:

the team has used Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI) machines to determine that blood flow changes in specific areas of the brain based on what word or image someone is thinking of. People tend to show the same brain patterns for similar thoughts, he added.

For instance, if two people think of the image of a bear or hear the word bear or even hear a bear growl, a neuroimage would show similar brain activity. Basically, there are standard patterns that show up in the brain for different words or images.

Pomerleau said researchers are close to gaining the ability to build brain sensing technology into a head set that culd be used to manipulate a computer. The next step is development of a tiny, far less cumbersome sensor that could be implanted inside the brain.

Computerworld: Intel: “Chips in brains will control computers by 2020″