Mind control isn’t possible, of course, at least not yet. But the idea of being able to simply ‘think’ a command to a computer system is an idea that has been around for a long time. Even Atari had the MindLink all the way back in 1984. It was a device you wear on your forehead to control Atari consoles and computers with your mind, or at least forehead muscles. It didn’t work, but at least the idea was there. The experience was intense! You can tell from this print advertisement, and the promotional video they made. Are these people having the time of their lives or WHAT?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg67H_O7bNs

These oddball devices notwithstanding, allowing people who are incapacitated due to injury or disease the ability to not just interact with a machine but through that communicate with other people is a noble and important cause, and the subject of multiple research projects going on today. Accessibility is one thing, with appropriate subtitles and font sizes and whatnot, but we are talking about being able to use machines with your mind.

Normally, I show a video in class of a 60 Minutes segment from 2009 which examines the work going into this aspect of accessibility. People controlling machines, cursors, even wheelchairs with nothing but their intentions. The technologies that are demonstrated and the capabilities they provide to people with debilitating conditions are remarkable, verging on the realm of science fiction. Unfortunately, with the classes we’ve missed and our limited time-frame, I wasn’t able to show it this semester, so I thought I would simply embed it here for you all to see. Unfortunately, when I attempted to do the embedding, instead of giving me a URL it simply said “Not Available.”

Oh yeah? I accept that challenge, dubious legal grounds notwithstanding. I used the same software I used to do the Networking lecture and just recorded the screen while it played, then uploaded it to YouTube. The quality isn’t great, but the video is incredibly interesting and as stated it’s from all the way back in 2009!

There are a couple of minor warnings: There is a segment in which a monkey has electrodes wired into its brain, and another where a woman who has suffered a stroke has a coupler directly attached to her skull through her scalp. Nothing gruesome, and very brief parts of the overall video, but if you’re squeamish over things like that, be aware that they’re in there. That shouldn’t discourage you from watching as the overall video will restore your hope in technology, if not humanity.

There was also a follow up report done a couple of years later, but for the life of me I have been unable to find it. If any of you happen to stumble across it in your travels let me know, and I’ll post it, or even embed it if the lords of CBS allow.

And now, without further ado, Controlling Machines With Your Mind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWRAPMtPy3M&feature=youtu.be