Scientists Demonstrate Mind-Controlled Robot From: Associated Press - 04/24/2012 By: Frank Jordans Researchers at the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne have developed a system that enables paralyzed patients to control a robot using only their thoughts. The system features a cap that transmits the electrical signals emitted by the brain, when a user imagines performing a task, to a computer, where the signal is almost instantly decoded. However, background noise has emerged as a major challenge in brain-computer interface research, says Lausanne's Jose Millan. The researchers solved this problem by programming the system to work in a way similar to the brain's subconscious. Once a command such as "walk forward" has been sent, the computer will execute it until it receives a command to stop or the robot encounters an obstacle. This allows the user to focus on other things instead of always having to focus on telling the robot to walk forward. The Lausanne team's research appears to mark an advance in the field, says University of Washington professor Rajesh Rao, "especially if the system can be used by the paraplegic person outside the laboratory." Read the entire article at: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/24/scientists-demonstrate-mind-controlled-robot/ Links: Jose Millan http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/jose-millan/ Swiss scientists unveil mind-controlled robot http://www.presstv.ir/detail/238064.html Paralyzed Man Controls a Robot with His Mind http://www.33rdsquare.com/2012/04/paralyzed-man-controls-robot-with-his.html#more Mark-Andre Duc, Partially Paralyzed Man, Moves Robot With His Brain, Say Swiss Scientists (with 6 photo slide show) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/24/mark-andre-duc-robot-paralyzed-swiss_n_1448186.html Telepresence Robot Controlled by Paralyzed Man http://www.roboticstrends.com/service_healthcare/article/telepresence_robot_controlled_by_paralyzed_man