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Technology Could Enable Computers To "Read The Minds" Of Users

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the techno-psychics-coming-soon dept.

New techniques under development could allow computers to respond to users' thoughts of frustration or boredom (too much or too little work) by applying functional near-infrared spectroscopy technology, which uses light to monitor brain blood flow as a proxy for user workload stress. Applying this noninvasive, portable imaging technology in new ways, the researchers hope to gain real-time insight into the brain's emotional cues.

4 of 121 comments (clear)

  1. understand users by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I am a developer and a user and I still can't understand what I want, much less what the average user is thinking... Good Luck!

  2. I can't be the only one by techpawn · · Score: 5, Insightful

    who thought it was an oxymoron to see "non-invasive" and "computer brain scan"?

    --
    Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what your country did to you
  3. Bad idea. by Trillan · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Text-based interfaces prove that most users couldn't read.

    Graphic interfaces prove that most users can't understand abstractions.

    Mind reading interfaces will only prove that most users can't think.

  4. Useless without context by zeoslap · · Score: 3, Insightful

    What is the device supposed to do with the information without knowing the context? Am I stressed because of the call I've just taken, the news story I've just read or my inability to use a specific app. Neat tech but good luck trying to use it to do anything useful.