Dr David Hamilton Home Page

Mind over Matter and Virtual Reality Technology
(www.drdavidhamilton.com)

Recent research into virtual reality environments uses the fact that our thoughts stimulate brain cells to move through a virtual reality simulator.

Scientists have developed a Brain-Computer-Interface (BCI) that measures stimulation of brain cells produced by thoughts. For instance, a thought to move your right foot to walk forward stimulates brain cells in a specific area of the brain. The BCI records this and sends a signal to a virtual reality simulator that makes a virtual person take a step.

Recent studies have shown that a person could walk down a virtual street just by thought. When I was younger and personal computers first came out, I remember that state-of-the-art games were Pac man, Space Invaders, and Frogger. And each needed to be controlled by a joystick or the computer keys. This really is the 21st Century. We are now developing technology to move characters with out thoughts.

The applications of this technology are quite incredible. Some of the research teams working with BCI's are developing technology that allows paralysed people to move wheelchairs or prosthetic limbs with their minds. They have already succeeded on in a virtual reality simulator. A paralysed person was able to move a virtual wheelchair forwards down a virtual street just by thought. The next stage is to do it with a real wheelchair.