Nowadays, cars are integrating new technologies to allow for better performance, safer travel, enhanced fuel economy, and lower overall cost. One of the most recent of these technologies is "drive-by-wire", which helps to eliminate the mechanical linkage between driver input (brake pedal, gas pedal, steering wheel, etc.) and the rest of the vehicle. The goal is to create a vehicle with less parts for weight and cost advantages.
But there are other gateways to be opened with drive-by-wire technology; how about operating a car with only your thoughts?
© photo courtesy of: AutoNOMOS Labs
AutoNOMOS, a German artificial intelligence research team, is developing a car that does just that with their "MadeInGermany" project.Simply put, the system incorporates a variety of sensors and cameras to allow a driver to operate a vehicle with their thoughts. A headset known as an electroencephalography, or EEG, sensor is worn to monitor brain functions. These functions are then recorded by a computer and the resulting patterns are "learned" and associated with various driving commands. The commands are then sent to the drive-by-wire components to control the vehicle. Pretty cool, right? You can see it in action below:
Although the system still has a long way to go until it has been perfected, this emerging technology will help to create a world of opportunity for safer driving and providing transportation for the handicapped.
All we need now are traffic lights that are controlled by our minds too!
