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By Andrew Webb
Technology reporter, BBC News
Researchers at Goldsmiths, University of
London have developed technology to translate thoughts into musical
notes.
The Brain Computer Interface for Music
requires electrodes to be attached to the head.
They pick up electrical impulses from the
brain which are passed through an electroencephalography (EEG)
machine and analysed.
The man behind the project, Dr Mick
Grierson, demonstrated the system to BBC News.
When musical notes flash the scientist
stares at the display while thinking of a note he wants to
play.
When the same note appears it
unconsciously triggers a change in his brain activity - a change
registered by the computer he was plugged into.
"After a while it will make a decision
about which note I am thinking about and it tries to play it," he
said.
Dr Grierson has run trials in which 6 out
of 8 notes played were the same as those being thought of.
The project is supported by the Arts and
Humanities Research Council and aims to find a way for people who
have difficulty using their hands to play music.
"There are many composers who are struck
down with multiple sclerosis and other physical disabilities who
still want to continue making music", said Dr Grierson.
Brain game
A number of research projects around the
world are looking into using brain controlled interaction with
computers to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
Tokyo's Keio University has demonstrated
robotic hands being controlled through thought processes.
The research is also leading to commercial
products.
US and Australian firm Emotiv hopes to
have a headset video game costing $299 on the market by the end of
the year.
It enables players to vanquish villains
through thoughts and emotions without ever touching a controller.
full article at BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7446552.stm
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Biofeedback 
