Researchers at the University at Buffalo(UB) and elsewhere are helping to advance technology that allows people to control robots with their minds.
UB is focused onapplying these brain-computer interface (BCI) devices to manufacturing, medicine and other fields.
"The technology has practical applications that we're only beginning to explore," said Kesavadas PhD, UB professor.
"For example, it could help paraplegic patients to control assistive devices, or it could help factory workers perform advanced manufacturing tasks."
While it sounds like something from X-Men and other science fiction stories.
Products vary but they generally include a helmet equipped with many sensors. The sensors read electrical signals – electroencephalograms – from brain activity and transmit them wirelessly to a computer.
The computer then sends signals to the robot to control the robot's movement.
They have been used mostly to help disabled people.
It relies on a relatively inexpensive, non-invasive instrument (it retails for $750) that fits on the head like a hat and is outfitted with only 14 sensors.
Such robots could be used by factory workers to perform hands-free assembly of products, or carry out tasks like drilling or welding.
UB is focused onapplying these brain-computer interface (BCI) devices to manufacturing, medicine and other fields.
"The technology has practical applications that we're only beginning to explore," said Kesavadas PhD, UB professor.
"For example, it could help paraplegic patients to control assistive devices, or it could help factory workers perform advanced manufacturing tasks."
While it sounds like something from X-Men and other science fiction stories.
Products vary but they generally include a helmet equipped with many sensors. The sensors read electrical signals – electroencephalograms – from brain activity and transmit them wirelessly to a computer.
The computer then sends signals to the robot to control the robot's movement.
They have been used mostly to help disabled people.
It relies on a relatively inexpensive, non-invasive instrument (it retails for $750) that fits on the head like a hat and is outfitted with only 14 sensors.
Such robots could be used by factory workers to perform hands-free assembly of products, or carry out tasks like drilling or welding.