Progress in Making Brain-to-Computer Connection
Nuts & Volts Magazine - February 2001 - page 48

In recent years, researchers around the world have been trying to create a
practical link from the human brain to a computer, generally referred to as
an "adaptive brain interface" (ABI). While still in a primitive stage, some
progress has been reported by the Joint Research Centre of the European
Commission.The concept involves the use of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals
to generate specific commands. For example, the human subject might learn to
adjust his mind to five different mental states that correspond to up, down,
right, left, and choose on a computer screen. In this manner, he could move a
cursor around a diagram of a keyboard and type a message. In recent
experiments, subjects wearing an EEG helmet have been able to control their
thoughts well enough to generate signal recognition rates of about 70
percent. The process requires about one second for each decision and
recognition cycle, which in tests has translated into the ability to type
only a few characters per minute. However, expected improvements in the
process could make it extremely useful for disabled people. Researchers are
also exploring the possibilities of using the concept for playing computer
games and for controlling robots, wheelchairs, and other electromechanical
devices. 

Details are available at http://esba-www.jrc.it/sba/esprit/abi-esprit.htm