Mind Control Technology

BBC has introduced a new technology that allows people to control iPlayer with their mind.

18:05 19 June 2015

The BBC is using a technology that allows people to control iPlayer with their mind. The kit, which allows people’s brainwaves pick what they want to see, comes with a headset and uses particular thoughts to turn on the iPlayer. 

 

The BBC confirmed that its only experimental technology at the moment but has worked for everyone who has used it during the testing period. 

 

“Our proof-of-concept is only an experiment and just a toe in the water, but it helps our initial understanding of how we might be able to control devices using our brainwaves in the years to come,” wrote Cyrus Saihan, head of the BBC’s business development, in a blogpost about the testing.

 

The prototype uses a sensor designed to read brainwaves and track the electricity as it moves around the brain. It watches for concentration and filling up a bar of brainwaves when they concentrate hard enough to trigger a change on screen. Eventually, the technology will be used to create a new kind of iPlayer that offers improved accessibility for people with disability so they can control the technology with using their hands.