A paralysed man in Tokyo, has been able to manipulate an avatar in the popular virtual world Second Life, using only his brain waves.
Japanese researchers made the announcement Monday and called it a world first.
The 41-year-old patient has suffered paralysis for more than 30 years and can’t use a keyboard or mouse due to a progressive muscle disease disabling his fingers.
During the experiment, he wore headgear with three electrodes which monitored his brain waves. He used the power of his imagination to control the on-screen character.
Via an attached microphone, he was able to have a conversation with another character according to researchers at Japan’s Keio University.
It is the first time a paralysis patient has successfully met and conversed in an Internet virtual world, the researchers said
They are looking to progress this breakthrough further by adding a text message capability that will enable patients to type messages by mentally selecting letters.
“In the near future, they would be able to stroll through Second Life shopping malls with their brain waves… and click to make a purchase,” said Junichi Ushiba, associate professor at the biosciences and informatics department of Keio Universty’s Faculty of Science and Technology.
Second Life is a virtual world that is increasingly growing in popularity. Each person (or animal) is represented by animated avatars which can do just about anything including shopping.
The virtual world has its own currency called Linden Dollars which are exchangeable for real world currencies.
According to Ushiba, Second Life could motivate patients with severe paralysis, who are often too depressed to undergo rehabilitation.
Sources:
Yahoo Tech News
Wikipedia