- Joined
- Oct 19, 2012
- Messages
- 1,263
- Points
- 0
Researchers Fly Helicopter Using 'Thought Control'by Carlo Orlando on 20120905 @ 09:48AM EST | google it | send to friends
Filed under Technology | Science | (related terms: technology, headset, perform, operator, helicopter)
A group of researchers at China's Zhejiang University have used fast-emerging 'thought-control' technology to successfully launch a helicopter into the air and have it perform a controlled series of maneuvers.
To make the mind-controlled device (called FlyingBuddy2) soar, the scientists first adapted a Parrot AR Drone 2.0 so that it could be operated by an Emotiv EPOC electroencephalogram (EEG) headset hooked up to a PC running special software.
Basically, the operator wears the headset, connected via Bluetooth to a laptop, which then transmits flight instructions to the helicopter. At that point, the controls are actually pretty simple. But the 'thought-control' aspect is pretty exotic.
In a recent demonstration, the act of thinking "left" made the remote-controlled drone take off. Similarly, thinking "left," "right," and "push," made the drone turn clockwise, move forward, and gain altitude, respectively.
To make the FlyingBuddy2 descend, the operator needed only to clench his teeth. One of the most compelling features of this system is that the device can take pictures when the operator quickly blinks four times. (Source: wired.com)
Filed under Technology | Science | (related terms: technology, headset, perform, operator, helicopter)
A group of researchers at China's Zhejiang University have used fast-emerging 'thought-control' technology to successfully launch a helicopter into the air and have it perform a controlled series of maneuvers.
To make the mind-controlled device (called FlyingBuddy2) soar, the scientists first adapted a Parrot AR Drone 2.0 so that it could be operated by an Emotiv EPOC electroencephalogram (EEG) headset hooked up to a PC running special software.
Basically, the operator wears the headset, connected via Bluetooth to a laptop, which then transmits flight instructions to the helicopter. At that point, the controls are actually pretty simple. But the 'thought-control' aspect is pretty exotic.
In a recent demonstration, the act of thinking "left" made the remote-controlled drone take off. Similarly, thinking "left," "right," and "push," made the drone turn clockwise, move forward, and gain altitude, respectively.
To make the FlyingBuddy2 descend, the operator needed only to clench his teeth. One of the most compelling features of this system is that the device can take pictures when the operator quickly blinks four times. (Source: wired.com)
