Mind-control Now a Reality

A European consortium called PRESENCCIA, made up of researchers from Graz University of Technology in Austria and University College London (UCL), has created a virtual world and device where paraplegics can navigate using only their mind. The device uses electrodes attached to the scalp and electroencephalogram (EEG) equipment monitor electrical activity within the brain. After the system is taught to identify different neuronal activity, it can pick up on what the user wishes to do, such as move their left leg and respond in the virtual world.

After initial testing with a healthy user, a paraplegic used the system with a 90% success rate. There are hopes for the system to be used in wheelchair technology to make the chair move without outside influence, or to help those that have just suffered a stroke regain movement. According to UCL’s Doron Friedman, “The patient loved it. He said it was a great feeling to think about moving his feet and to actually ‘move’.”