Researcher uses his brain for world-first
Imagine being able to interact with your own thoughts and control how your brain functions.
Such a concept is to become a reality using sophisticated software and virtual reality technology developed by The Australian National University.
by Brad Watts
Imagine being able to interact with your own thoughts and control how your brain functions.
Such a concept is to become a reality using sophisticated software and virtual reality technology developed by The Australian National University.
Using a headset connected to electrodes, the system analyses brainwaves and allows people to see how their mind and emotions function using "real time" three-dimensional images and sounds.
While the system is still in its infancy, ANU computer science researcher James Sheridan said the technology would have a range of applications, especially for neuronic disorders.
"It allows you to control your brainwaves and could be used to treat drug addition and attention deficit disorder," Mr Sheridan, who received an $80,000 grant to develop the project, said.
"An ultimate goal of my work may be to find new ways to train the brain without the use of drugs - physiological signals from the brain can be useful to talk to computers."
ANU computer science lecturer Henry Gardner said the tool was a world-wide first.
"It's more to do with moods than actual thoughts," Dr Gardner said.
"It's really about communicating different brain areas - it's an exciting frontier in technology and science."
