Operate the train with ... brain!

With a unique new Japanese technology, you can control an electronic device without touching a finger. You just need to use . your brain!

This new technology is the "brain-machine interface" developed by Hitachi Inc. Design and production have the ability to analyze very small changes in blood flow in the brain and convert information about brain activity into electrical signals.

This technology has just been introduced at Hitachi's Advanced Research Laboratory in Hatoyama, near Tokyo, June 20, 2007.

It's like having a magic spell

' Brain-machine coupling circuit ' is quite simple! It consists of a cap containing electrodes connected by fiber optic cable with a diagram drawing device, and this device is connected to an actuator (like a toy train) with a micro machine. calculator and a motor.

During the new technology show, expert Kei Utsugi started with a sentence: 'Take a deep breath and relax!'. After his amusing statement, researcher Akiko Obata made simple calculations in his head and then the train ran forward - as if a magic was transmitted from the frontal area of ​​the brain. to order the car to move.

Researcher Akiko Obata is wearing a hat containing electrodes and expert Kei Utsugi is running the device during a new technology demonstration on June 20 (Photo: AP / Shizuo Kambayashi)

Utsugi explains: 'Activate that area of ​​the brain - by doing some calculations or singing a song - is the agent that drives the train forward. When you stop the calculations in the head, the train will stop '.

The ' magic ' of a brain joint circuit - this machine comes from a technology called optical topography, capable of transmitting a small amount of infrared rays through the brain's surface to paint. changes in the blood flow of the brain.

Although this new technology is suitable for medical purposes, technology giants like Hitachi and Honda Motor Co. Japan is competing to improve this technology for commercial use. Hitachi scientists are studying to create a remote control device for televisions so that users can turn off, turn on the television or switch TV channels just by . their thinking.

Mr. Hideaki Koizumi: 'It will be interesting when you can use your brain to make a train run or stop at will' (Photo: AP / Shizuo Kambayashi)

Honda - the author of an MRI-based brain surveillance circuit, like the one used by hospitals - is also very interested in the application of brain-coupled circuitry for new-generation car products. and ' smart '.

A ' smart ' and useful technology

According to the team, someday, the technology of brain coupling - the device will be able to replace remote controllers, keyboards, and may even help people with disabilities to control cars. electronic roller, bed and hands - prosthetic legs too.

The first application of this technology will be to help paralyzed people to control devices and machines . even if they have completely lost the ability to control the muscles of the body.

Since 2005, Hitachi has launched a device based on optical measurement technology that monitors the brain activity of paralyzed people to help them learn to solve simple problems - for example, pay ' Yes ' or ' No ' with calculations and thoughts in the brain.

Scientist Hideaki Koizumi, head of Hitachi's brain-machine coupling project, excitedly said: 'We are thinking of using this technology in many other areas, such as when patients stay in the room. can be contacted outside with this smart coupling circuit '.

A big advantage of this coupling circuit is that there is no need to put sensors in the brain. Previous technologies of US companies, such as Neural Signals Inc., require implanting a ' chip ' (microelectronic circuit) under the user's skull.

Currently, Hitachi is also improving the new device so that it can be more compact and more accurate in selectively receiving electrical signals from the human brain.

According to Mr. Koizumi, this technology itself has an attraction in the field of entertainment and easy to use for toys. He said: 'It will be really funny and interesting when you can use your brain to make a train run or stop at will.'

Quang Thinh