Researchers Have Made A Car You Can Control With Nothing But Brain Power

The original idea behind this fascinating project - the work of a team of researchers in Tianjin - was to create a system that would allow disabled people to drive cars. It uses 16 sensors to pick up EEG (electroencephalogram) signals emitted by the brain, which are then ‘translated’ by a computer programme into movement orders.

Beyond the question of mobility for disabled people, it’s also being billed as something you’d combine with autonomous driving, rather than a system that could eventually give you outright control. That’s why distraction wouldn’t be an issue: you’d only be ‘sending’ the car commands to do things like set off, change lanes or turn off a road.

The technology is still quite limited, too: this prototype version - built into a Great Wall Haval (nope, me neither) - is only capable of moving forwards, backwards, or coming to a stop. Oh, and you can lock and unlock it with your mind too, if you wish.

Source: Reuters via World Car Fans