New robot gives humans something to think about

Researchers have given new meaning to the concept of remote control technology with a system that enables people to steer the actions of robots and other machines using their thoughts alone.

While the system can only accommodate four simple actions, the team that devised it hopes to refine the technology to enable people to one day use their thoughts to change TV channels, open car doors when their hands are full or order robots to serve them meals.

The project is a joint venture between a subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., the Honda Research Institute Japan Co., based in Wako, Saitama Prefecture, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, based in Seika, Kyoto Prefecture, and Shimadzu Corp., based in Kyoto city.

The technology works by analyzing brain wave and brain blood flow data to determine what an individual is thinking, then transferring that data to the robot to make it move according to the original thought.

Honda's Asimo robot can currently recreate thought orders with about 90 percent accuracy for four simple acts, including raising the right hand and moving a leg.

A sensor built into a helmet is attached to the scalp of the wearer, who does not have to move but can guide the robot's actions through thought.

Researchers have found that minor changes in blood flow and electric charges occur in the brain when people are thinking.

The system measures these changes, by using near-infrared spectroscopy to gauge the shifts in blood flow and applying an electroencephalograph to monitor bioelectric activity in the brain.

It converts the results into electric signals that are transmitted by radio waves to the robot to make it move.

The researchers will aim to reduce the size of the device, which weighs 300 kilograms.

(IHT/Asahi: April 2,2009)
BY TOMOYUKI YAMAMOTO
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN