Boffins teach computer to read your mind
2 Oct 2007 | 10:30 BST
It is amazing how you can use anything so small
TUFTS University boffins are developing techniques that could allow computers to read punters' minds.
According to Science Daily the computers could respond to users' thoughts of frustration, boredom and lack of work. Perhaps they could even order them a nutritious beverage which is not quite, but entirely unlike tea.
The boffins are using easily portable imaging technology to look for subtle emotional cues and help provide a more efficient way to get work done.
Top boffin Sergio Fantini, biomedical engineering professor is using near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology to monitor brain blood flow as a proxy for workload stress a user may experience when performing an increasingly difficult task.
The fNIRS headband uses laser diodes to send near-infrared light through the forehead to interact with the brain's frontal lobe.
From there it can see which parts of the brain are being used and make a good stab at how they are feeling and what they are thinking.
This means that they can then refuse to open the pod doors when required or drain the area of oxygen if they know they are under threat.
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