Managing an avatar in Second Life with thought

Computer control of what is called “no hands” is a phenomenon, although not widespread, but still taking place. But to guess that screwing the “brain-computer interface” (BCI, brain-computer interface) to the Second Life game is definitely a shift. And both in technology and in the direction of expanding the scope of its application.


Employees at Keio University’s Biomedical Laboratory (Japan) developed the BCI system, which allows the user to control an avatar in Second Life solely by the power of thought. For this it is enough just to think about the movement of various parts of the body. When the user thinks about the movement of his feet, the avatar goes forward (well, or back), and when the user thinks about the movement of his hands, the avatar turns left or right. What hand mentally raised, there will turn.

This system consists of a special "cap", which is put on the head and is equipped with electrodes and the main module responsible for signal processing. Electrodes are responsible for scanning the activity of the three areas of the brain responsible for controlling the movement of the legs and arms. If activity occurs, the system represents their BCI, which converts brain waves into signals to a virtual avatar. Thus, the user can control his virtual alter ego without even raising a finger.

via Pinktentacle