Two Heads Are Better Than One For Brain-Computer Interfaces

FatLittleMonkey writes "My mind to your mind... my thoughts to your thoughts... Researchers at the University of Essex have shown that combining the output from two non-invasive 'brain-computer interfaces,' computer-interpreted EEG signals, led to a much clearer signal of the subjects' intention than the output from a single subject. To test this idea, they had two subjects try to steer a simulated space-ship at a target planet, by thinking of one of eight possible directions. While a single user could achieve 67% accuracy, this jumped to 90% when two minds were combined. Researchers believe the technique also compensates for individual lapses in attention, and thus may have applications in real-world space missions."

Comments

Wow

[Kjella]

I think they just proved that 0.33*0.33 = 0.10.

Re:Wow

[foobsr]

Its is not like two pilots in a jet liner would miss something as big as their destination airport.

Not always.

http://spantax.webs.com/rodolfobay.htm - Quote: "In May 1967, Spantax had received bad press in Germany. To counteract this Rodolfo Bay decided to fly a flight from Palma to Hamburg with German press on board to get good press for the airline. Unfortunately he landed at the wrong airport in Hamburg."

Yes, it is true, I lived in Hamburg that time. They had big trouble to get the bird into the air again as the runway was way too short.

CC.

20+ years ago

[Brad1138]

I saw a TV program that showed electrodes connected to one person. That person was able to move an avatar around a 3D environment. Sure doesn't seem like they have come very far...

Finally

[ozduo]

A positive use for Tasmanian's. Explanation for non Australians found here http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/T/Tas%20reputation.htm

Meanwhile, in the lab next door...

[wonkey_monkey]

While a single user could achieve 67% accuracy, this jumped to 90% when two minds were combined.

Meanwhile, a lone monkey with an hour's training, a penchant for bananas, and a joystick achieved 99% accuracy.

Re:Meanwhile, in the lab next door...

[peragrin]

So we replace the bananas with beer and hit 99.9 for the first 3 beers

Pacific Rim: Jaegers

[laughingman4929]

Finally, the giant robots in Pacific Rim make some sense... http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=2vKz7WnU83E#t=61s

Re:Elementary statistics?

[jythie]

That is one of the hot questions in neurology, and one that is far form settled. We still do not have a good idea of how the details vary from person to person... so while perhaps not a 'surprise', it is far from a given.

Will this work at all in the real world?

[mianne]

Or are both pilots going to be texting and surfing for pr0n with the assumption that the other one is taking control?

"It must have been a computer glitch which caused us to run out of fuel and crash into the Atlantic on our flight from Houston to Toledo."

Re:2 are better than 1 - ancient wisdom

[foobsr]

Would have never thought that a quote from The Bible would hit me that hard, but my wife died Jan 2 - so.

CC.

Re:Elementary statistics?

[gweihir]

Anything they do does require they can calibrate on a single individual. Just taking measurements from two individuals (with each their own calibration) will always be better. That has nothing to do with neurology, that is just signal processing 010.