Using Brain Waves to Write/Type

Lynne Kiesling

How cool is this: a University of Wisconsin biomedical engineering student has developed a way to type using brain waves. He posted to Twitter using his brain, literally and not just metaphorically!

That’s right, no keyboards, just a red cap fitted with electrodes that monitor brain activity, hooked up to a computer flashing letters on a screen. Wilson sent the messages by concentrating on the letters he wanted to “type,” then focusing on the word “twit” at the bottom of the screen to post the message.

The development could be a lifeline for people with “locked-in syndrome” — whose brains function normally but who cannot speak or move because of injury or disease.

Hat tip to Scott Jagow at Marketplace’s Scratch Pad blog.