Potentially revolutionary interface to virtual worlds

Scientists at the Keio University Biomedical Engineering Laboratory in Japan have developed a Brain-Computer-Interface that allows people to use their minds to control the movements of an avatar in Second Life.



With further work, this could mean that paralyzed people would be able to participate in Second Life, offering them the opportunity to communicate and do business in ways that their disability prevents in the physical world.

Video and images of the device are available from the laboratory's web site.

So far, the team has only used the equipment with non-paralyzed patients. The next step is to try it with paralysis patients.

Other information about this exciting development is available at the following URLs:

http://www.pinktentacle.com/2007/10/brain-computer-interface-for-second-life/

http://chronicle.com/wiredcampus/article/2454/thought-controlled-avatars-emerege-in-second-life

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5huaC9fnUY7gEVtK-K8pt_5lorjaw