The future of remote-control technology – it’s all in your head
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[url=http://www.timesleader.com/news/The_future_of_remote-control_technology__ndash__it_rsquo_s_all_in_your_head_TECH_TALK_NICK_DELORENZO_09-29-2010.html]Source[/url]
[release]HOW “USER-FRIENDLY” is too user-friendly? You might struggle with technology now, but what happens when it’s literally all in your head? This seems to be the direction of things to come and like most modern brainstorms, the ethical dilemma it presents causes a major headache.
You are the next generation. Of remote control, that is. The inexorable march of neuroscience has finally brought us to the point where it’s possible to control devices with nothing more than a thought.
Tiny sensors on a hairnet-like device pick up electrical activity in your brain. You go through a series of exercises designed to see what tasks and thought processes generate certain signals in specific areas of your brain. For example, the thought “turn off the lights” might generate one set of signals, while the thought “pick up the box” generates another. A computer records these signals as you go through the exercise, “calibrating” the system to the user, if you will.
Once this process is complete, you can look at the monitor and manipulate the computer without lifting a finger or batting an eye. You simply think at it, and your will is done. Granted, this requires nightmarish webs of wires that drape over your freshly-shaven scalp to get the job done, but that’s science for you.
Technology companies like Emotiv Systems, however, are a bit more practical when it comes to reading your mind. They’ve developed a wireless, wearable and somewhat sleek headdress that does the same job, but with less horror factor. They’ve been offering their product on the market for nearly two years now. Since their commercially available product is relatively sophisticated, and versions of this technology are being developed by other companies (Hitachi is an example), it’s safe to say that before long you too will be controlling your television with nothing more than the power of your brain.
On the flip side, this also could mark the beginning of a slide down the slippery slope. The implications of widespread brain-mapping technology aren’t pretty. Eventually, sensors may not need to be in direct contact with your skin. Even now they can scan through your skin and skull. Walk through that metal detector at the airport and they’ll know what you’re thinking … or at least what you’re thinking about, in a general sense.
I give it five or 10 years before this sort of technology becomes unremarkable, starting with the entertainment industry, where it already has a toehold.
Emotiv’s EPOC headset retails for $299 (it’s sold out now) and can be found at [url]www.emotiv.com[/url], along with a suite of programs you can control with the power of your mind.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcWDaM5gH9E[/media][/release]
It's amazing how far technology is advancing these days. It really makes you think...
I'd make a pun, but I can't think of any that are remotely funny.
I could see this being practical in a number of years.
[QUOTE=JETFIGHTER5;25154951]I could see this being practical in a number of years.[/QUOTE]
They are kinda doing this in airplanes.
[quote]Granted, this requires nightmarish webs of wires that drape over your[B] freshly-shaven scalp[/B] to get the job done, but that’s science for you.[/quote]
well fuck
Emo-meters?
Emo-index?
Hah.
i think i'd rather have a crappy remote than having one implanted in my head
although it does sound badass having wire's in your head that people can see
Imagine how awesome modeling and mapping will be when you can send the image in your head to your PC.
[QUOTE=jiggu;25157950]I don't see any use for it whatsoever.[/QUOTE]
Probably not to control the TV or the Stereo, but it could be very useful in other, perhaps more important technology.
[QUOTE=MrJazzy;25157980]Probably not to control the TV or the Stereo, but it could be very useful in other, perhaps more important technology.[/QUOTE]
The look on someone's face when a mic spammer joins a TF2 server
[editline]04:51PM[/editline]
I mean, I can see this being extremely useful for valve's choreographer.
[QUOTE=tgp1994;25157826][IMG]http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q449/tgp1994/emo.png[/IMG]
He knows where this is going[/QUOTE]
How about no, [url=http://www.facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1008332]Sintel's[/url] amazing.
I'm not shaving my head for this shit.
You don't have to.
Imagine how horror games will end up being.
I wonder how this will react to someone with a mental disorder
[QUOTE=imadaman;25159649]How about no, [url=http://www.facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1008332]Sintel's[/url] amazing.[/QUOTE]
Whoops.
Thought that was his company :smith:
[editline]10:01PM[/editline]
That movie is pretty sweet by the way. I couldn't imagine myself pulling that off in blender.
What if you are doing something with family around and suddenly think about watching some porn ? :ohdear:
[quote]Walk through that metal detector at the airport and they’ll know what you’re thinking … or at least what you’re thinking about, in a general sense.[/quote]
This would help stop terrorists going onto planes I'd think. Unless they learn to block their mind like in Inception... For now I think it would be useful.
[QUOTE=imadaman;25154450]
On the flip side, this also could mark the beginning of a slide down the slippery slope. The implications of widespread brain-mapping technology aren’t pretty. Eventually, sensors may not need to be in direct contact with your skin. Even now they can scan through your skin and skull. [b]Walk through that metal detector at the airport and they’ll know what you’re thinking … or at least what you’re thinking about, in a general sense.[/b][/QUOTE]
That would be bullshit
[QUOTE=imadaman;25154450]
Walk through that metal detector at the airport and they’ll know what you’re thinking … or at least what you’re thinking about, in a general sense.
[/QUOTE]
Yeah I bet that totally wouldn't end up with them arresting 99% of the people who come into an airport because they were thinking about bombs, being scared of bombs, wondering if a bomb could get through, maybe thinking "It's a good thing these detectors are here to stop BOMBS getting through"
[QUOTE=jiggu;25157950]I don't see any use for it whatsoever.[/QUOTE]
You lack the creative spark of most humans.
[QUOTE=Lust;25177496]Yeah I bet that totally wouldn't end up with them arresting 99% of the people who come into an airport because they were thinking about bombs, being scared of bombs, wondering if a bomb could get through, maybe thinking "It's a good thing these detectors are here to stop BOMBS getting through"[/QUOTE]
This.
No, I want an omni-tool.
[QUOTE=z0nk3d;25176861]What if you are doing something with family around and suddenly think about watching some porn ? :ohdear:[/QUOTE]
Hope to christ they aren't looking at the screen you are linked to :byodood:
Or just stop thinking, like I can do :smug: Stupidity just became useful.
[QUOTE=Shadowstone;25176922]This would help stop terrorists going onto planes I'd think. Unless they learn to block their mind like in Inception... For now I think it would be useful.[/QUOTE]
But I'm really nervous going through metal detectors, my brain would just be going
"ALLAH ALLAH BOMB BOMB BOMB BOMB BOMB BOMB ALLAH BARRA YALLA BY MUHAMMAD I HOPE THEY DON'T FIND MY BOMB IN MY SHOE"
I'd go through the metal detector thinking the guy ahead of me is a coke smuggler, cavity search the bitch.
[QUOTE=bravehat;25179518]Hope to christ they aren't looking at the screen you are linked to :byodood:
Or just stop thinking, like I can do :smug: Stupidity just became useful.[/QUOTE]
I could just play music in my head :smug: Listening to music just became useful.
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