Thoughtful computer control launches at CeBIT

Forget the voice recognition software. What do you think when you can compose a mail just by . thinking about it?

At a quiet corner inside the ongoing CeBIT exhibition in Hanover (Germany), an Austrian technology firm is exhibiting the so-called "computer brain interface" (BCI), a technology capable of change the way we use computers, play games and chat with each other in the future.

It sounds like a science fiction novel, but in fact, it's a very smart science and technology application. In fact, this system does not "read" your thoughts, but rather, it measures the electroencephalogram vibrations and "translates" them into commands on a computer screen.

The system consists of a "hat" attached to the user's head, with a few dozen small holes for electrodes "to come out" and contact the scalp. These electrodes connect to a device called "bio-signal amplification" via an ultra-thin cable network. It is this device that will place the signals emitted by the brain to the computer.

Source: CeBit According to the brain structure, different areas will be responsible for handling different forms of thinking. For example, the movement of the hands (both horizontally and vertically) is handled by the sensor cortex, said Christoph Guger, CEO of g.tec.

To use BCI to move the mouse cursor, the electrodes will be attached to the corresponding brain part. Here, they are tasked to "read" the tiny changes of the EEG, then send it to a computer software. This software will try to analyze to guess what the user is thinking.

Guger said the software also needs to be "trained" to read the EEG signal correctly.

Still need improvement

At this stage, g.tec's BCI system is still quite slow. Even a system that has undergone "training" can only "read" up to 18 characters per minute, equivalent to 3-4 words. However, this is still a good sign for people with disabilities who cannot communicate with others through voice or movement.

Another problem is accuracy. In an examination that took place two years ago in Austria, about 300 participants were "trained" for 30 minutes to use the system. After that time, the system was able to speculate on some simple thoughts with a correct probability of 60%.

" This technology is improving day by day. 5 years ago, the system was very cumbersome and difficult to move. But now the parts can fit into a shoe box. In 10 years, it will be fast and main enough. to be able to integrate inside a home computer or video game console, "Guger predicted.

" Finally, the wireless chip will be" embedded "in your head, and you can communicate with others that just . think is enough ".

Trong Cam