Turn on the TV Using the Power of Thought

Posted by Queuebot in Science & Tech on September 4, 2009 at 9:29 am


A ‘telepathy’ chip that allows people to control computers, televisions and light switches by the power of thought is being developed by British scientists. The idea was conceived by Dr. Jon Spratley while he was studying at the University of Birmingham.

The tiny sensor would sit on the surface of the brain, picking up the electrical activity of nerve cells and passing the signal wirelessly to a receiver on the skull.

The signal would then be used to control a cursor on a computer screen, operate electronic gadgets or steer an electric wheelchair.

This type of technology would allow disabled people such as Stephen Hawking to have more control over their environment. Link

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by scaryman.


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12 comments to "Turn on the TV Using the Power of Thought"

  1. Andrewc
    September 4th, 2009 at 9:59 am

    Correct me if I'm just missing what's new about this...

    But I think this sort of thing has been possible for a while already. Here's just one example from a while ago: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3186850.stm

  2. Nicholas Dollak
    September 4th, 2009 at 10:11 am

    1. Use brain to turn on TV.
    2. Park self in front of TV.
    3. Turn brain off.

  3. Gauldar
    September 4th, 2009 at 10:27 am

    @Andrewc

    So a human turning on and off a TV with a thought = monkey controlled robot arm?

    Sure, this is rooted in the same type of technology, but I don't see how we should discard knowing about it just because of a linked similarity and a different application of it. I think it's neat.

  4. Gauldar
    September 4th, 2009 at 10:28 am

    Oh, and I for one welcome our robot armed monkey overlords.

  5. Nicholas Dollak
    September 4th, 2009 at 10:29 am

    Sorry --- woke up with a migraine, so I'm running a bit slow. This one's better:

    1. Use brain to turn TV on.
    2. Park self in front of TV.
    3. Use TV to turn brain off.

  6. ninigoat
    September 4th, 2009 at 11:16 am

    Lets hope it doesn't keep going to the dirty channels, when reading mens thoughts.

  7. Skipweasel
    September 4th, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    I prefer to turn off the telly with the power of the hurled boot. There inn'arf a lot of crap on these days. And precious little else.

  8. Anthony V
    September 4th, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    @AndrewC:

    The key difference seems to be how the electrode sends the signal back to the receiver- because this new one is wireless, the brain is less open to infection after implantation.

  9. Marshal
    September 4th, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    "would allow disabled people such as Stephen Hawking"
    What an inappropriate thing to say! I hope someone can acknowledge the fowl here.

  10. DDT
    September 4th, 2009 at 10:09 pm

    I'd rather be turning on women.

  11. ted
    September 4th, 2009 at 10:40 pm

    Poor Stephen Hawking. Is that what he's famous for?

  12. Video Game Dork
    September 5th, 2009 at 3:20 am

    It's about time! I've been following brain-input tech for a while. I can't wait for this! :D

    And it could be used for more than turning on your TV, BTW. All sorts of appliance, for one. And not just on and off - control thermostat, unlock car door, and eventually... send text messages... :P


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