Here’s a new spin on a familiar favorite: A mind-reading device that doesn’t just let the user control a cursor, but actually convert thoughts into complete sentences. Or at least that’s the eventual goal of the Brainy Communicator, in development at Singapore’s Institute of Infocomm Research. Right now, though, they’re stuck in the early stages—users have to focus on on-screen images for the Communicator to understand what they’re getting at.
The project is sponsored by Samsung, ostensibly as part of an effort to help the severely disabled—the company estimates that the Brainy Communicator could help over 1 million tetraplegic’s worldwide. But I’m sure the commercial applications have occured to Samsung CEO Lee Kun Hee and his crew. Given the choice between using the remote and just thinking, “Change to Spice Channel,” hardcore layabouts will obviously opt for the latter. Pressing buttons can put tremendous strain on the tendons, especially when you’ve just scarfed a tin of Pizzalicious Pringles.
Brainy Communicator [Samsung, via The Malaysia Star]
