Washington: How great would it be if you could do away with a keyboard forever and simply type using your mind?
Now, that’s possible using intendiX – a device that spells words based on brain waves.
Developed by Austrian company Guger Technologies, it’s essentially a skullcap, covered in electroencephalographic (EEG) electrodes, with a computer interface, reports Discovery News.
The wearer stares at a computer screen, which flashes highlights over different rows in a matrix of letters and symbols set up like a keyboard on the screen. Simply by paying attention to the desired letter for a few seconds, the program can determine what the user intended to pick.
The ‘magic cap’ could be a blessing for those with spinal injuries or other conditions that impair use of the arms or vocal cords.
According to Guger Technologies, most people become competent thought-communicators after 10 minutes of training on the system and are able to spell out five to 10 characters a minute.
The user can also make it read the message out loud in digitized prose, print the text, or send it in email or via another electronic messaging system -- intendiX is Bluetooth-ready.
The only ability needed to use the system, besides a few seconds of concentration, is eyesight.
ANI
First Published: Thursday, March 10, 2011, 13:37