Drive the plane with thoughts

Toy helicopters controlled by electromagnetic signals can appear in the sky before the last day of 2012.

Puzzlebox - a company in San Francisco, California, USA - is trying to turn the idea of ​​controlling brainwave helicopters into reality.Orbit , the name of the helicopter built by Puzzlebox, is equipped with a system of "reading" electrical impulses in the brain, CNN reported.

Puzzlebox's electrical signal decoding system. (Photo: Puzzlebox)

"When you focus your mind on something, like solving math equations or memorizing a song, your brain generates electrical signals. Orbit's electrical pulse decoding system tracks those signals. and turned them into orders for helicopters, " said Steve Cattelotti, Puzzlebox's chief executive.

Orbit is currently only able to perform two operations: flying up and landing. (Photo: Puzzlebox)

Puzzlebox's goal is to help customers control flying helicopters in the sky. But now the signal from the brain can only make the helicopter fly up from the ground.

"Orbit flies up when you focus your thoughts. If you don't focus your mind, it will land , " explained Cattelotti.

Cattelotti claims Orbit will not only be an entertainment device, but also educational value. For example, it can help students improve their concentration when thinking as well as relaxation skills.

"Concentration of thought is an art that we all find difficult to master. For the operation of controlling a bike, if you focus on your thoughts, your number of falls will decrease markedly , " Cattelotti established. comment.

Orbit's Puzzlebox Pyramid Control Station. (Photo: Puzzlebox)

Orbit will appear on the market with two versions. A version, likely to be available this Christmas, is designed for users to control using mobile devices such as smart phones or tablets. The device connects to the brain signal reader and sensors in the helicopter via Bluetooth waves. The second version, which will be produced in 2013, includes helicopters, brain signal readers and Puzzlebox Pyramid control station. The infrared LEDs of the station will send signals to the helicopter. In addition, users can reprogram Puzzlebox Pyramid so that it controls other infrared devices.

"For example, you can reprogram Puzzlebox Pyramid to increase or decrease the volume of the TV , " Cattelotti said.