Computer Converts Thoughts into Speech and Motion

November 21, 2007

There's a lot of work going on in brain machine interfaces. That is, machines that can read a person's brain activity and translate that into movement. Most of these approaches require a person to wear an electrode cap. They also require very sophisticated algorithms that can discern the appropriate brain wave activity from other brain wave activity.

A new device called the Audeo, from Ambient (developed by researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), does not use an electrode cap. It uses a collar that wraps around the neck. Electrodes there pick up neural activity that the brain is transmitting to the vocal chords. The machines then translates those neural signals into computer speech or to drive a wheelchair. So basically, you just think "My name is Tracy" and the computer outputs a synthesized version of that. Or you think, "Turn right" and the computer turns your wheelchair to the right. Very cool. Check out the video.

Comments

[Leslie Baker]

Dear friends, An interesting breakthrough ... could this be of use to Stephen Hawkin??
Well done .... Leslie