Toyota Developing Mind-Control Wheelchairs

It sounds like something out of a sci-fi flick, but Toyota is serious about controlling wheelchairs with brain waves. The automaker is developing a wheelchair that operates by brain-machine interface, which means people can control the chair’s left, right, forward and backward movements just by thinking about them.

Toyota’s system uses something called blind signal separation and space-time-frequency filtering technology that allows brain-wave analysis as fast as 125 milliseconds. Basically, the results of the driver’s thoughts would be directed to the panel of the chair before he or she could even sense a delay.

The system adapts to the characteristics of each driver, as well, so it can actually learn habits and inclinations that help it sense what the driver will do. Toyota says its system has an accuracy rate of 95%, which is one of the highest rates yet for BMI.

Obviously, we have to speculate that this tech could someday be used in a car, which opens up a whole host of safety and logistical questions, as well as the plot of some kind of Keanu Reeves sci-fi movie.

Comments

Wouldn't mind this so much as a control system for my radio.
"Man, not this song again!"
Changed.

Beauty.

No more daydreaming of running over the neighbor's dog

What would happen if two of the wheelchairs got too close to each other and interference kicks in?

Apparently Toyota engineers are bored of leading in the hybrid technology market.

The title made me think that the wheelchair is controlling our minds.

You guys meant mind-controlled wheelchairs, right?

Billy is right. You could "think" your rich Aunt's wheelchair over a cliff and collect the inheritance. This'll never work. Wait a minute...this'll work!

What about indecision..."do I turn left? Do I turn right?" Does the chair switch back and forth during this thought process?