[tt] [wta-talk] Scientists use brain waves to stroll through virtual world

[Eugen Leitl]

----- Forwarded message from James Clement <clementlawyer at hotmail.com> -----

From: James Clement <clementlawyer at hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:32:57 -0700
To: wta-talk at transhumanism.org
Subject: [wta-talk] Scientists use brain waves to stroll through virtual
	world
X-Mailer: Microsoft Office Outlook 11
Reply-To: World Transhumanist Association Discussion List <wta-talk at transhumanism.org>


Scientists use brain waves to stroll through virtual world.

Japanese researchers say they have found a way to let people stroll through
the virtual world of Second Life using their own imagination, in a
development that could help paralysis patients. 

Previous studies have shown people can move computer cursors through brain
waves, but the Japanese team says it is the first to apply the technology to
an Internet virtual world. 

The technology "would enable people suffering paralysis to communicate with
others or do business through chatting and shopping in a virtual world,"
said Junichi Ushiba, associate professor at Keio Univesity's rehabilitation
centre. 

Second Life is an increasingly popular virtual world in which people -- and
animals -- are represented by animated avatars and can do everything from
social activities to shopping. 

Ushiba said Second Life could motivate patients with severe paralysis, who
are often too depressed to undergo rehabilitation. 

"If they can see with their own eyes their characters moving around, it
could reinvigorate their brain activity and restore some functions," he
said. 

Under the technology, a person wearing head gear embedded with electrodes,
which analyze brain waves in the cerebral motor cortex, would be able to
move a Second Life character forward by thinking he or she is walking. 

Imagining movement with the right or left hand would make the character turn
accordingly in the same direction. 

Researchers have previously put similar technology to work to scan brain
waves to control objects such as computer cursors and electrical gears. 

In the Keio University laboratory, the team has designed artificial arms
that operate by reading brain waves, although none is known to be
commercially available yet. 

Ushiba said the technology could help people undergoing neuro-rehabilitation
by stimulating brain activity. 

Traditionally, "if a stroke leaves a man's right hand paralysed, he has been
encouraged to use his left hand instead," Ushiba said. 

"More recently, however, it has come to light that the paralysed hand would
start moving better if you try to use it," Ushiba said, noting that attempts
to use a numb hand increase brain activity. 

The team next plans to test the technology on actual paralysis patients to
see how they respond to the virtual world. 

http://www.physorg.com/news111390148.html

--------------------------
James Clement, J.D., LL.M.

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