Hitachi creates brain-controlled model railroad

Compared to other advances in the world brain-controlled interfaces, Hitachi's latest development may seem a tad unimpressive, basically amounting to a thought-controlled switch. But, connect that switch to a model train set and you've suddenly got something that's a heckuva lot more impressive -- at least on first glance. To get that train rolling, Hitachi uses optical topography to map changes in blood flow in areas of the brain associated with mental activity, translating those changes into voltage signals to flip the switch on and off. Of course, Hitachi eventually sees the tech allowing for a much greater degree of control, with one of the goals being to help paralyzed patients become more independent. They also seem to think they're on the fast track towards commercializing the technology, saying it could be available as soon as five years from now.

[Via Pink Tentacle]

[louis @ Nov 18th 2006 7:45AM]

Oh sure, it starts innocent enough with kids moving model railroads around, but before you know it they're blowing up japanese cities with their mind...

[Harrold @ Nov 18th 2006 9:43AM]

I am a disgusting spammer: [e-mail]

[Reg @ Nov 18th 2006 1:06PM]

It has begun...Playstation 9!

[John @ Nov 18th 2006 6:03PM]

Very cool! Big step over DCC control but I don't see it making it into Model Railroader any time soon!

http://www.ho-scale-model-railroading.com/2006/11/18/hitachi-creates-a-brain-controlled-model-railroad/

[Andrew @ Nov 19th 2006 1:03PM]

Hitachi, brining new meaning to the phrase "one track mind."

[Ken @ Nov 20th 2006 8:29AM]

That's an awful lot of work and sensors to go into "Speed Up" and "Slow Down", although maybe it really does take 100% of the mental capacity of a DC Metro train operator.

[Eric @ Nov 23rd 2006 6:20AM]

Its a brain sucka~!!!