US military to apply brainwave technology to control robots

Controlling robots with thoughts, once seen only in science fiction movies, has now become a reality and may soon be used in the US military.

A headgear with 128 electrodes that reads brain waves will transmit commands to a computer. Photo: Huffington Post

According to the Huffington Post, over the past two years, researchers on robot navigation and control at Arizona State University have been working with the US military on the application of mind-controlled robots on drones like in the science fiction movie Oblivion.

The technology has advanced so much that one person can control multiple drones. The goal of scientists is to create a solution where a person can use their thoughts to control a fleet of drones and carry out complex commands.

There are many research groups in the world that control flying devices using brain waves. Last year, researchers from Portugal performed take-off, flight, and complex maneuvers in the air through the operator's thoughts.

The drone control device developed by the University of Arizona research team is a helmet with 128 electrodes that read brain waves and transmit them to a computer. The computer analyzes and sends control signals to the drones.

Drones are controlled simultaneously at the University of Arizona. Photo: Arizona State University.

“One of the new areas we are exploring is how you can bridge the gap between humans and robots, especially with multiple robots,” said professor Panagiotis Artemiadis, who led the research.

"We believe this technology can be used in the military within the next 5-10 years," Artemiadis asserted.

However, this technology has many applications beyond military purposes. Robots are often used in missions that pose a danger to humans, search and rescue missions, or access to disaster areas, and environmental exploration.

Humans and drones in the sci-fi film Oblivion. Photo: Colorado-cat.ru

According to VNE