Cheap Headsets That Let You Control Technology With Your Mind

The New Scientist reports that cheap headsets that let you control technology with the electrical signals generated by your firing neurons will go on sale in coming months.

Researchers have developed systems that read brainwaves – in the form of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals – in order to help people suffering from disabilities or paralysis control wheelchairs, play games Movie Camera, or type on a computer. Now, two companies are preparing to market similar devices to mainstream consumers.

…There’s already speculation about how the internet, gaming and other interactive technology is changing the brains of the next generation – albeit not necessarily well-founded. But for the generation after that, it will be normal to control machines using thought alone. Given the awesome adaptability and plasticity of the human brain, how will our biological hardware and software will adapt?

Anyone know how these things work if the person is under the influence of drugs or alchohol, or psychopathic? Perhaps there should be laws against using mind-reading headsets to operate heavy machinery.