If you think it, you can drive it!

 ... Well, at least that's the idea.

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!